Peace that Overrides Understanding

My Devotion

My Heart

Peace that Overrides Understanding

Teresa Jenkins

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice! …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 transcend all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4, 6-7

There is a peace that goes beyond my understanding that pushed though all my anxiety yesterday.  As hard as the decision was to make, my help, whatever, I could possibly do is inadequate to God’s power, mercy, grace will do in the circumstance I am enduring. I cannot fix this circumstance, I cannot make it better.

The determining factor to peace is release.  As I prayed, in my broken heart and through my anxiety God’s peace gently flowed through me.  God did not give me an itemized itinerary to His plan of action, but I heard Him say, “I’ve got this, do not be anxious I have heard your cries and I will restore.”  Oh the overpowering love that takes hold of you when you surrender.

Anxiety will literally crush you and keep you defeated.  Anxiety defined, an unpleasant state of mental uneasiness, nervousness, apprehension and obsession or concern about some uncertain event.  Now if you can just think of all the hazards to your health that anxiety causes and at the same time does not solve the problem, or circumstance you are going through.  Have you noticed that Anxiety is a prevalent issue in health?  It takes over your whole being, life, and everything you do. I suffer anxiety silently, it’s always smoldering just under the surface and when something does arise that I know I cannot do anything about, it will escalate to points of physical pain and illness.  My mind obsesses over every detail that I know I cannot change or do anything about, but the Bible tells me something different, I can do something.

Philippians 4:4-9 is God’s assignment in every kind of trouble.  He first says Rejoice in the Lord always.  Be gentle.  Do not be anxious.  In everything by prayer and petition (write it down, share it with your prayer partners, getting others to pray according to His will with you) with thanksgiving give your requests to God, make your presentation to your Father who in heaven.  Then here is what God will do for you, His peace that is over all your understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  The mind of Christ will take over and with every anxious thought that tries to push you back will be held captive in the power and might of God.  Thoughts of whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, anything that is excellent or praiseworthy will fill your thoughts.  Think on them, put them into practice and the God of peace will be with you.

I have done that and when my heart feels anxious, He reminds me, “I’ve got this.”  All you have to do is Rejoice, the good news will arrive right on time.  We don’t have to know how God will do what He will do, or the details of His plan, that is not our concern.  Our part is only to trust, praise, worship, and rejoice in the victory that is at hand.  Even if the victory does not look like anything we wish for, God always works everything out for the good to we, who love Him and we have been called according to His purpose.  Giving God the glory for He is worthy.

Don’t be anxious, Peace that overrides understanding is within reach, it’s in His hand of mercy reaching out, it’s all good, take His hand, He will because He already has.  Remember God is already there.  Dwell in the shelter of the Most High and you will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.