And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7)
WHEN LIFE IS GOOD it is understandable that a person feels like all is well in the world. It is also understandable when anxiety, depression, anger, and distress is experienced when facing difficulty. It is a natural response to troubling events. But possessing joy and peace while experiencing life’s storms can defy understanding.
When the “God of peace” (v. 9) is with you, the “peace of God” (v. 7) resides within you. It is His presence and peace that becomes the source of peace in you. The result is poise in the middle of problems, tranquility in the face of turmoil, calm in chaos, and serenity in the storm. When Jesus stands in your rocking boat and says, “Peace, be still,” all nature responds in ways that transcend understanding. The Prince of Peace miraculously commands the waves and stills the shaking soul.
I embraced the young couple as they stood at the graveside in the section of the cemetery reserved for infants. They had just watched their dream child be lowered into the grave. They could have fallen apart, but they didn’t. For sure, they hurt—they grieved—and they felt a big empty hole in their lives. But in their sorrow they stood tall with poise and peace that went beyond understanding. The peace of God guarded their hearts from temptation to respond to circumstances in ways that would bring bitterness. The peace of God guarded their minds from entertaining thoughts and imaginations that would distort perspective and destroy faith. The God of peace was with them, and He will be with you too.
Move into a deeper trust in God that produces unexplainable supernatural responses.
Ken Heer is the author of Ancient Fire (WPH) and has been a pastor and church leader for fifty-two years.
