Experience the Peace of God

When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. (Psalm 94:19)

“Be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6). How many Christians would agree that this is a command? How often do we disobey this command? Not sure? To be anxious means, to experience nervousness, worry, or unease about something where the end result is unknown. Check any dictionary! Thankfully the apostle Paul gives at least three instructions in the rest of this verse on how to successfully obey this command.

First: “in everything by prayer and supplication.”
Many people have prayed about many things and have concluded that prayer does not work. Consider the following: “The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:29; John 9:31; 1 Peter 3:12); “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:3); “God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

Second: “with thanksgiving.”
We honor God when we pray and give Him thanks for everything He does for us. King David prayed, “Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name” (1 Chronicles 29:13). Paul, the apostle of Jesus Christ said, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2; Daniel 6:10; Luke 17:11–19).

Third: “let your requests be made known to God.”
Only God who created us knows us, and understands the type of help we need. King David had the right idea when he said, “I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me” (Psalm 57:2; Romans 8:15, 26–28). God knows our needs before we even ask, but He still wants to hear from us (Psalm 18:6; Luke 18:7–8; 1 Peter 5:6–7).

What will result from following these instructions? “If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7 TLB; Colossians 3:15).