Philippians 4:6-9 says, ". . . do not be anxious about anything, 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."
As the followers of the Prince of Peace, we are able to access the peace of God that passeth all understanding. Paul is a living example of this peace since he tells us later in this chapter, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." No matter what our physical circumstances, this peace allows us to be content and able to do all things through him that strengthens us. Nothing should be able to worry us or cause us to be anxious other than our standing with God.
The key to obtaining this peace is by going to God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. The key to our prayers is thanksgiving and perseverance in these actions. In James 4:2-3 we are told, "You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions." These verses indicate that God will not give if we don't ask nor if our motives are not pure. This peace is able to ground our hearts and minds. However, we have to be in condition to receive it and sustain it. As verse eight (Philippians 4) tells us, we have to think and center our minds on truth, things honorable, right (conforming to the character of God), pure (moral), lovely (dear to one), commendable, of virtue, and things worthy of praise. Not only are we to think on these things, we are also to put them into action in our lives. Practice these things and the God of peace will be with us.
If we do not walk the walk, we will not have the peace that passeth all understanding, but we will walk as those in Philippians 3:18-19 when Paul said, "For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things." Are you going to have the peace that passes all understanding or is your end destruction?
Charles Royal, Decatur AL
