Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
You can’t buy peace or happiness for that matter. So where can I go to find peace in my heart? The apostle Paul shows us the pathway to peace begins with an attitude of rejoicing, a temperament of gentleness, a recognition that God is real and near and a mindset of dependence upon God.
He says that in place of worry and anxiousness (and there are plenty of reasons today to be anxious- for ourselves, our children, etc.) bring it all to God in prayer while asking and making requests known. And then it happens, a peace beyond human comprehension pervades my life and guards my heart from despairing or fretting. Wow!
Am I trying to solve all of life’s issues with my own knowledge and experience? Is there anything, even something small, that I have not brought to Him and requested insight and help?
God, as this day begins, I place the issues of life before You- my lovely daughter’s wedding plans, the backyard project, my final exam on Monday, the people who need me as their pastor, the hurts that accompany them, the three people who are homeless, the friend suffering grief and loss of his brother, the uncertainties ahead, the crazy democratic party, trouble with Iran, my son’s move from one house to another, all of this… show me Your will and ways and give me peace.
