ODJ: dying for peace
October 9, 2011
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. . . . Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand (vv.6-7).
READ: Philippians 4:4-9
I hadn’t seen him in years. He called my name and walked over to me at the grocery store. After some small talk, I asked how he was doing. He said, “Last year I was dying,” and went on to explain that stress had nearly killed him. His heart and body had been breaking down due to his workaholic ways and an anxious mind. But then, someone invited him to a Bible study. In time, he found peace in Jesus. And today, his heart and body have returned to a healthy state.
Just before we parted, as people swirled around us, I shared these inspired words from the book of Philippians with my friend: “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand” (4:6-7).
Those words from Paul have brought peace to my heart and mind many times. In them we find two key reasons not to give in to the withering effects of worry and anxiety:
• We can pray to God who loves us and cares for us (v.6). When we take the focus off ourselves, our work, our struggles, our pain, and draw close to Him in prayer, He brings joy to our hearts and a renewed focus on His presence.
• We find that trust in God leads to real peace (v.7). His peace will “guard [our] hearts and minds,” but only if we leave behind the faltering foundation we’ve tried to construct and rest in Jesus’ power and provision alone.
After I had shared the verses with my friend, he thanked me and walked away with a smile on his face. Leave your cares with Jesus. “Then the God of peace will be with you” as well (v.9). —Tom Felten
What has caused you to feel anxious or worried recently? How will you apply Paul’s words in Philippians 4 as you seek peace in Jesus?
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