The Peace of God

Dear Friends,

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

Most of all of us deal with being anxious in our every day life. It’s our human reaction to stressful situations. We become anxious about little things like; what will I wear, what will I eat, the weekend is over and I have work tomorrow, it’s too hot, it’s too cold, this year is moving too fast or too slow. We get anxious about bigger things like; will I ever get finish college, get married, or have kids, will my children be safe , will I ever get out of debt. No matter where you are in life, life will give you an opportunity to be anxious. What are you anxious about today?

Merriam Dictionary defines anxious as;

1. Characterized by extreme uneasiness of mind or brooding fear about some contingency.

2. Characterized by , resulting from, or causing anxiety

3. Ardently or earnestly wishing.

King James Dictionary defines anxious as;

1. Greatly concerned or solicitous, respecting something future or unknown being in painful suspense applied to person as, to be anxious of the issue of a battle.

2. Full of solicitude unquiet applied to things as anxious thoughts or labor.

3. Very careful solicitous as, anxious to please anxious to commit no mistake.

Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology says the that Old English Bible often render words as “thought,” ”worry,” or “care”, to have the same meaning as anxious.

We find a in Philippians 7 Steps to overcoming anxiousness.

1. Rejoice in the Lord (vs. 4)

2. Let your gentleness be evident (vs. 5)

3. Know that the Lord is with you. (vs. 5)

4. DO NOT be Anxious in any situation (vs. 6)

5. Pray and Petition God (vs. 6)

6. Give Thanks (vs. 6)

7. Tell Him your request (vs.6)

I love the promise that comes in verse 7, after we have followed Philippians 4:1-6. (7) “And the peace of God, which transcend all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

We do not have to accept anxiousness as a part of our daily living. God has given us His wisdom on taking authority over it. We will make a decision to use the tool (His Word) He has given us, over, and over, and over again, until it takes root in our soul. Then, we will repeat it for every situation that life brings. Why choose to stay in turbulent waters, when we know peace is on the other side.

Anxious For Nothing,

Chanda Rose