Surpassing All Understanding

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4:6-7)

Meditation

I think I’m a pretty laid-back kind of person. I don’t usually let circumstances get to me. However, if truth be told, I sometimes lay awake at night worrying about stupid things. The things I have no control over will swirl around in my thoughts, keeping me awake for hours at night. In the work I did for a living, I sometimes worried about my decisions being scrutinized, and I’d have to defend a position I took. I seldom had to rework my design because of some unseen flaw, but I still would be anxious about it while waiting for a decision. I would have never admitted to anyone I was worried because I liked having all the answers and a plan to get things done. It didn’t always come together the way I thought it should, and so I would worry.

The things that perplex me the most are those I have no control over, whatsoever. Those would be things like natural disasters, the economy, who’s going to win an election, or the rise of world terrorism. I’d try to keep cool and act like I wasn’t concerned but deep down I feared those unknowns. I have to admit, I still have those fears, but today, I’m not afraid for myself but for those I love. If I were to suffer death because of a natural disaster or terrorist act, I know where I’m going to spend eternity…do you? Fear and anxiety have become an everyday part of our lives as we live during these Last Days. I hope everyone knows things in this world will continue to get worse and worse before the end comes. However, as believers in Jesus Christ we don’t have to be anxious or fearful about anything.

If we believe the scriptures, we know how this story ends. If there’s something that is troubling us, all we have to do is turn to God in prayer. He will calm our fears and supply our needs if we but ask with a grateful heat. He gives us a peace that we cannot understand and protects us as we follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior. Should a tragedy befall us and we pass from this life our souls are then in the presence of Jesus. That’s a win – win for us! We can be confident and calm while the rest of the world is trembling in fear – if we die, we go to be with our Lord! What more can we ask? Hallelujah!

Daily Prayer

Who is greater than our God? Who has grace in abundance and mercy unending? Who supplies our needs even before we know we need it? Who blesses us with our talents that we can satisfy our desires? It is our awesome and powerful Father in Heaven, the Maker of everything in the universe, including the universe. Even when we fail to walk a righteous path, you are faithful to forgive us with our expressions of regret. Please, dear Lord, always forgive our shortcomings and return us to righteousness. Thank you, Father, for the gift of salvation. How can we understand the peace that entered our hearts when we accepted your lordship of our lives? Please, soften the hearts of our unsaved family and friends. Help them to turn from their sins and seek your face. Give them peace of mind about your love for them and the promise of eternity you offer, just like you’ve given us. Lord, even though we don’t understand the peace we feel in our hearts, we want that peaceful feeling for everyone we know. Help us to show them the love of Jesus for them. In his precious name, we pray. Amen!