Peace That Transcends Understanding
Human nature is to take control. We hear motivational speakers saying things like, “take control of your life” and our ears perk up because it’s something we so desperately seek. Our stress and anxiety are like a big web that we’re trying to untangle ourselves and we jump from one task to the next in hopes that we can relieve some of the pressure. When we attempt to take control of our lives, we ultimately end up pushing out the One who gave us our life in the first place.
In Philippians 4:6-7 it says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.”
The fact that this verse doesn’t just say peace, but it says a peace that transcends ALL understanding means that it goes far beyond an earthly idea of peace. It’s not a peace that makes sense because all is well in our lives at the time. It is a peace that our human mind (understanding) can’t even begin to comprehend because of a knowing that despite our circumstances, God is working things together for our good.
The key to experiencing that peace is to approach God with a stilled heart. There are three central words in these verses that I want to focus on: Anxious; prayer; and peace. Being anxious is the problem we try to solve ourselves; prayer is the procedure we are told to practice; peace is the product we are promised by God. When we withdraw from our busy lives to spend time with Him, we experience the reality of His peaceful presence.
