The Peace of God

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.   

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

I experienced the peace of God in a very powerful way. 

I felt the anxiety that Paul spoke of in this verse.  I prayed, determining that I wouldn’t stop until I felt the incomprehensible peace of God.  Then this happened:

1. I felt intensely relaxed, like I do right before I’m about to fall into a very pleasant sleep.
2. The feelings of anxiety left me.
3. The distracting thoughts that aroused anxiety left me.  In other words, I was able to focus on my life as it was in the moment, and not be distracted by the causes of anxiety in my life.

It was exactly like Paul said.  It was a peace that could only come from God, it transcended my understanding, and it guarded my emotions and mind. 

The situation didn’t change.  What I wanted to happen hadn’t happened yet…as far as I knew in the moment.  But the perfect transcendent peace of God meant one of two things:

1. My prayer was heard, but not granted.  God gave me something else in the place of what I asked.
2. My prayer was granted.

I have yet to see if I received what I asked.  But one thing I now know:  I should expect the perfect transcendent peace of God when I pray.  I should expect to be heard and taken care of by God, even if He doesn’t give what I ask.  Or I should expect to receive what I ask.   

With either of these, I should expect the peace of God.   

Amen.