Peace of God
Anxiety is so prevalent in our society and daily lives that it often feels inescapable.
Arthur Somers Roche said so well: “Worry is like a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.”
Worry can weasel into the hearts of business leaders, professional athletes, high school seniors, first-time moms, creatives, artists, producers, designers, and software engineers. It can creep into the minds of chefs, astronauts, truck drivers, and teachers. It can even get into the minds of pastors and people called to work for the church.
The essence of winning the war on worry is knowing you can’t do it on your own. Like most attacks of the Enemy, when we battle worry, we can’t make or muster a strong enough defense by ourselves. Only by the might of God and the love of Jesus can we stand firm, take ground, and win this fight.
Instead of fixating on the what-ifs, let’s now acknowledge that God has already provided us with the truth of what is. God doesn’t deal with confusion. He doesn’t leave things to chance and is never unsure of the outcome. He doesn’t do it. He is—and that is a truth on which we can build our foundation. So wherever you are reading this, no matter what you are walking through, I encourage you to speak out this reality: God, I believe You are more excellent. Specifically, You are more significant than whatever I worry about right now.
If you recall, last week, our focus was on Matthew 6:25-34. I shared then that within the Gen Z generation, the increase in anxiety has been significant.
1in 2 struggle with anxiety daily
43% deal with panic attacks mostly or more often
1 in 3 take anxiety medication
54% say their anxiety has been worse in 2023 than in the previous 5 years.
Medical personnel agree on the following coping mechanisms for Anxiety.
Walking or hiking
Creative activities
Therapy
Exercise
Regular sleep
Medicinal care.
Community networks (school, work, religious, neighborhood)
May I add to the list for the believer to be reminded about the peace of God?
The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians provides profound insight into handling anxiety, particularly in the face of persecution. Understanding the context in which Paul wrote these words can deepen our appreciation of their power and relevance.
Paul’s warnings in Philippians were written against a backdrop of persecution. The Philippians were under opposition from their pagan neighbors, mirroring the persecution Paul and Silas faced in Philippi (Acts 16:19-24; Phil. 1:28-30). In response to their struggles, Paul encourages the Philippians to live in a manner worthy of the gospel (Phil. 1:27-30). He calls them to maintain an attitude of joy “in the Lord” at all times (Phil. 4:4; cf. Phil. 3:1), to respond to their persecutors with gentle non-retaliation (Phil. 4:5; cf. Rom. 12:17-21; 15:3; 1 Peter 2:23; 3:8-9; Isa. 53:7-9), and to avoid anxiety by turning their concerns into thankful prayer (Phil. 4:6; cf. 1 Peter 5:7).
Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 4:6-7 reads:
*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 significance of the conjunction “and” at the beginning of verse 7 is crucial. It signifies that the peace of God is a direct result of the thankful prayer mentioned in verse 6. If the Philippians follow Paul’s advice,“the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,” will protect their hearts and minds.
But what is this “peace of God”? This peace is likely an inner sense of contentment provided by God, standing in stark contrast to the anxiety that might naturally arise from their persecution. It transcends all understanding because, from a human perspective, the natural reaction to persecution would be anxiety. Yet, Paul expects Christian behavior to defy these norms, demonstrating a God-given peace even in adversity (cf. 2 Cor. 1:3-11).
For Christians today, Paul's message remains profoundly relevant. The struggles of your heart are real, but your Savior’s power to heal is greater. If He was strong enough to conquer death, He is certainly strong enough to conquer anxiety. This victory, however, will not be instantaneous. You are a work in progress, under construction, becoming more like Jesus through every tear shed and trial endured.
Even when fears wrap around you, He is with you, as Isaiah 41:10 promises:
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.
In moments when worries barrage your soul and rain down on your hope, He is for you, as Romans 8:31 reassures:
What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
Just because you struggle with fear and anxiety doesn’t mean God is any less God or you are any less His. It means you are human, redeemed by the blood of His Son and being sanctified daily. Being a Christian doesn’t mean you receive a “get out of fear, trouble, suffering, or worry” card. What it does mean is that you have all you need to respond with faith, hope, and trust in life’s twists and turns.
Embrace the transformation God is working within you. His power brings healing and peace, providing an attitude that defies normal expectations in the face of adversity. Trust in His ultimate victory, knowing that through Christ, you are more than a conqueror.