I am free from anxiety because things are right between God, myself, and others.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7
In 1976, on their debut, self-titled album, Boston released the song “Peace of Mind.” This anthemic song spoke to the multiple things that fill us with stress and anxiety and ultimately rob us of peace. One of the choruses declared, “all I want is to have my peace of mind.” This wasn’t just true in 1976; across generations and geographies people are looking to have consistent, long-lasting peace. But the questions have always been “How do we have peace?” and “How do we maintain our peace?”
When we come to Paul’s words in Philippians 4:6-7, we can quickly dismiss them to the category of “easier said than done.” However, if we probe a little deeper in this passage, we see that Paul does so much more than give us a trite suggestion for dealing with anxiety. For Paul, peace is not simply a fleeting feeling or distant desire but is rooted in intentionally giving our challenges over to Jesus and choosing to trust him.
The reality, experience, and enjoyment of peace is ultimately found in our understanding of God’s sovereignty. If we truly believe that God is in control of all things in heaven and on earth, then we also need to believe that he is in control of our lives and circumstances. In times of anxiety, we can live in peace because we are in right standing with God, having received his Son as our Savior, and with others, having no unresolved conflicts or problems, and being peaceable so long as it depends on us.
When the Lord placed on my heart the desire for seminary, I was terrified! Not only was school incredibly difficult for me, but I was barely scraping by on the financial side of things. The more I prayed and sought clarity, the more I knew that God was calling me to trust him with my education, my finances, and my living situation. By the grace of God, I was able to complete seminary in three years without accruing any further financial debt, and I always had all of my needs covered. Through surrendering to God’s plan and trusting that he is always good, I learned to trust him more deeply and have persevering peace in the midst of uncertainty.
PRAYER
Father, you are good. Thank you for the fact that you are never caught off guard by circumstances or situations. Thank you that you are sovereign. In the midst of anxiousness, I ask that you constantly bring to mind Paul’s words of prayer and surrender and remind me of your peace that transcends all understanding. Thank you for sending your Son and allowing me, by your grace, to be in right standing with you. Amen.