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)
What Is Peace That Passes Understanding?
The peace that surpasses understanding is a supernatural peace that God offers us in the midst of our trials. It is a peace that defies explanation and human logic.
When we go through difficult times, it is natural to feel anxious and stressed. We may even feel like we are losing our minds. But when we turn to the Lord and ask for His peace, He will give us a peace that surpasses all understanding.
This peace is not based on our circumstances or on our own understanding. It is the peace of God. It is based on His promises to us. When we trust in Jesus, we can have His peace in the midst of the storm.
How To Have The Peace That Passes Understanding
Pray
This verse tells us that the first step toward having the peace that passes understanding is prayer. We are to pray about everything. We are to tell our Father our needs and our concerns. We are to thank Him for His blessings.
Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” When we are faithful in prayer, even during our trials, the Lord will give us His peace.
When we pray, we are asking God for His help. We are also surrendering our lives to Him. This helps us to trust Him and to know that He is in control. It takes the focus off of our problems and puts it on God.
Prayer is a powerful tool that God has given us. It can change our hearts and our minds. It can give us strength and peace.
Give Thanks
Our prayers to God are to be accompanied by thanksgiving. When we are thankful for what God has done for us, it helps us to trust Him more. It also helps us to see our current situation in light of all that God has done for us in the past.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” No matter what we are going through, we can always find something to be thankful for.
When we focus on all that God has done for us, it is easier to trust Him with our current situation. We experience the peace that surpasses all understanding.
So, the next time you are feeling anxious or stressed, take a few minutes to list all the things you are thankful for. It will help to change your perspective.
Meditate On The Promises Of God
One of the best ways to experience the peace of God is to meditate on His promises. When we think about what God has promised us, it helps us to rest in Him. It also helps us to see our current situation in light of eternity.
There are many promises in the Bible that we can claim when we are going through difficult times. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
This verse reminds us that when we meditate on the promises of God, it will help to light our way. We will be able to see where we are going. This will bring us peace and hope in the midst of our trials.
Another promise we can claim is from Isaiah 26:3. It says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” When our minds are focused on God and His promises, we will experience His perfect peace.
There are many other promises in the Bible that we can claim when we are going through difficult times. Take some time to look them up and meditate on them. As you do, you will experience the peace of God.
Walk In Faith
If we want to experience the peace that surpasses all understanding, we must walk by faith. This means that we trust God even when we do not understand what He is doing. It means that we believe that He is good even when our circumstances are bad.
Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
When we walk by faith, we please God. We also experience His peace. It is not always easy to trust God when we do not understand what He is doing. But when we do, we will find His peace.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
We do not have to understand everything that is going on around us. We just need to trust that God is in control. When we do, He will lead us and give us peace.
Cast Your Cares On God
When we are feeling anxious or stressed, it is important to cast our cares on God. We cannot do everything on our own. We need His help.
Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
When we cast our cares on God, He will sustain us. We will not be shaken by what is going on around us. We will experience His peace and strength.
1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
When we cast our anxiety on God, we can be sure that He cares for us. He will help us to deal with our anxiety and experience peace of God. We cannot bear our burdens on our own. They are too heavy for us. But when we cast them on God, He will help us.
The next time you are feeling anxious or stressed, remember to cast your cares on God. He will help you to deal with them and will guard your mind in Christ Jesus.
Remember That God Is In Control
God is in control of all things. He is sovereign and He knows what He is doing. We may not always understand what He is doing, but we can trust that He knows what He is doing.
Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
God’s purpose will always prevail. He knows what He is doing. We may have our own plans, but we need to remember that God is in control. When we do, we will experience the peace of God.
Isaiah 46:10 says, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will fulfill my intention.'”
God knows what is going to happen. He has a plan and a purpose for our lives. We may not always understand what He is doing, but we can trust that He knows what He is doing. When we do, we will experience the peace of God.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God has good plans for us. He wants to prosper us and give us hope. We may not always understand what He is doing, but we can trust that He has good plans for us. When we do, we will experience the peace of God.
Sing Praises To God
When we are feeling worrie, one of the best things we can do is to sing praises to God. This will help us to focus on Him and to remember His goodness.
Psalm 95:1-2 says, “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”
When we sing for joy to the Lord, we will remember His goodness and we will experience His peace.
Be Still And Know That He Is God
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Sometimes we need to stop doing and thinking and problem solving and simply be still before God. We need to remember that He is God and we are not.
The Bible says, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
We may plan and plot and brainstorm, but ultimately, God is the one who directs our steps. This truth allows us to be still and know that God is God. It allows us to experience His peace.
Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
When we seek first the kingdom of God, He will take care of the rest. This is another way that we can be still and know that God is God. We don’t have to worry about the things of this world because God knows what we need and He will take care of us. When we seek God first, we will experience the peace of God which surpasses all understanding.
Mark 4:39 says, “And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
This verse shows us that Jesus has power over the wind and the sea. He can calm the storms in our lives. When we are feeling anxious or stressed, we can go to Jesus and He will calm the storms for us. The peace of God will guard your heart.
Surrender Your Wants And Desires To God
The Bible tells us to surrender our wants and desires to God.
Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
When we delight ourselves in God, He will give us the desires of our hearts. This doesn’t mean that He will give us everything we want, but He will give us what is truly best for us.
When we trust in God and surrender our wants and desires to Him, we will experience the peace of God which surpasses all understanding.
Commit Your Way To The Lord
The Bible tells us to commit our way to the Lord.
Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this…”
When we commit our way to the Lord, we are saying that we trust Him and we believe that He will do what is best for us. This doesn’t mean that everything will always be easy, but it does mean that we can trust Him to take care of us.
When we commit our way to the Lord, the peace that passes understanding will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I agree so much. It bothers me when people say the cliched, “Well, I prayed about it and am at peace.” Especially when these are Christians who are praying about whether or not to do some selfish action. If you need to pray about being selfish then your heart is already in the wrong place. Very rarely does God intervene in men’s action with flashy signs and outright hindrance of fulfilling their evil desires. If you are praying about whether or not to do some deed that will make Satan happy he will certainly not plague you with distraught feelings. He will gladly pave your path to hell in smooth peace-filled intentions and prayers. The pursuit of “peace” is not the pursuit of God.
Yes I agree! It doesn’t matter if you have a feeling of peace when it comes to obedience to God’s word! If God’s word says something, than you obey it, regardless of what you feel like!
It is written, Follow peace. And, it is written, be at peace with all men, as much as possible.
This is also the case with another well-known – and oft-quoted! – part-verse: “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Ps.46:10). I used it myself until I discovered that the Hebrew words “Be still” do not refer to a relaxing repose in my favourite armchair, with my feet up, and pleasant thoughts of “God is in His heaven, and all is well with the world”!
The words actually refer to, for example, the waiting of a runner on the starting-blocks. It is the stillness that is awaiting the crack of the starting pistol in order to put every possible ounce of effort into running the race. It is the stillness of expectancy – as I await the command from the Lord to do whatever task He has assigned to me at any particular time. My eyes are on the goal; my ears attuned to His Word.
Blessings, and shalom
That’s a great point Brian. Eyes on the goal, ears attuned to his word. That’s what I want too!
Great article!
I convinced myself for years that the stronger a believer I became, the more “zen-like” I would become. Thankfully, God rescued me from that. The search for that zen feeling became more important than the goal of growing in Christ.
Thanks Joseph! I’ve had to learn the same lesson too. It’s not about a feeling. It’s about embracing the goal of growth.
Yes!! It’s a Deep down (No, deeper!) knowing of Complete (Beyond that) Trust that “regardless” I’m now and forever Safe at the outcome!! The Big outcome.
And another piece of The Puzzle falls into place! 🙂
I just thought this was another “Christian thing” that I couldn’t do “right.” But God does give peace I often feel, so, the times I didn’t (feel the peace), I guess I figured things had to “settle in” or there was a little “lag time” or something! LOL Eventually, I would feel peace settle over me … but yours is a much better explanation, Stephen! Now I know why “peace” is always “with” me, even when I don’t feel it. Thank you. This is something I can hold on to in battle. Peace to all.
Thank you! Like many (I assume) I always thought the problem was my lack of faith when peace eluded me. Then the domino effect would take over…I wish I had more faith to obtain the Lord’s peace…. why don’t I trust the Lord to give it to me…He must be so disappointed in me after all He has done for me over the years…I can’t be with the Lord right now because I feel too ashamed. This became a well-traveled road that I never wanted to be on in the first place. Thank you again for shedding new light on this verse. It’s life changing and I’m grateful beyond what I can put into words.
Thank you beyond words for nailing the facts syperbly. you said truthfully and biblically. God bless.
That way of living and scriptural support for it is certainly alive and well. Sufferin’ for Jesus ! I’m just a po’ ole sinner !
And it’s certainly a choice… though heaven only knows why ?.
I choose the fruits … and telling other beggars where I found some bread.
I’m not sure why a lost begger would ask a starving man to tell him how to have what he has.
It’s ok to be a believer and be happy.
Hi Steve, Which way of living? Can’t discern from your comments what you are refering to.
That was so helpful!! 🙂
You have more or less hit the proverbial “nail on the head”, Steve. This is the problem in most evangelical churches. We have been conditioned to get the “warm fuzzies” every Sunday morning or Wednesday night. Pastors are burned out searching for the next “latest, greatest” to keep the people coming in. The House of GOD has no longer become a place of serving our LORD and others. It has become a place to come and get entertained…a spiritual “pep rally” as it were. So it shouldn’t surprise us when the churches are less filled, Christians become carnal and society becomes a morass of evil, crime and treachery. The peace, as you have so faithfully relayed, is absolutely not a “feeling”. It is confidence that, no matter what happens, GOD is still on the Throne and is in full control of what is happening in our lives. I simply get amazed at Christians who constantly complain that “well, I guess GOD just doesn’t love me enough to bless me with so-and-so” or maybe “well, I guess that’s just GOD’s will that so-and-so got cancer and died”. It is NEVER, NEVER was and NEVER will be GOD’s will that we suffer diseases, heartaches, pain, worry, anxieties, et al! We live in a fallen world and because of it, disease and crime, death and addictions, divorce and pain happen around and to us every day. Not one single time did JESUS every say “If you follow me and accept my free gift of salvation, everything will be rosy and golden for the rest of your earthly life!”. No, what HE did say is that “in this world you will have troubles. But do not fear, for I have overcome the world!”.
GOD gave mankind free will. We have the choice to trust that ALMIGHTY GOD knows what HE is doing or not. We have the choice whether to believe in HIS promises or not. And we have the choice to accept HIS free gift of salvation through JESUS CHRIST His SON or not! We will have total and absolutely amazing peace one day when the KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS sits upon HIS Throne in Jerusalem and rules for a thousand years! We will have eternal peace one day when we reside with HIM in the New Jerusalem for all eternity! It is that Hope that brings me peace in this fallen world! That is my peace and blessed hope that surpasses all understanding…HE Rules…HE Reigns…and HE is Coming Back AGAIN! Hallelujah!
Blessings to you and your ministry!
Rev. Kelly Allen
Amen and Hallelujah ?
I had to read it again. At first i was thinking why is he stating its not a feeling when clearly it is. Then i read a further. Wow. I get it. This is why we study the bible. Don’t just read it. Get background . Get rooted in the word so we can understand exactly whats meant. Thanks for that insight. Im wondering now about a lot. This makes me want more and more of God’s word. Im blessed. Im thankful. I get it
Thank you so much for this… Never really looked at peace from this light. It explains a lot. God bless you!
Did you just give us your understanding of a peace that surpasses all understanding? 😉
“Gods peace beyond understanding…guarding our hearts and minds, through Christ Jesus ”
IS faith, and trust… It is even greater than faith and trust . I understand our faith and trust allows (opens) our body, mind and soul to Gods heavenly intervention with the Holy Spirit This is surely beyond human understanding, and beyond feeling. Helping us to “put on the armour” and continue to follow Him with far less anxiety.
David had found a woman to have sex with, and then got rid of her husband by sending him to his death in a war. This is the person you think YHVH and the Divine Counsel should have mercy on by giving him the peace that surpasses all understanding? How about you humans stop killing each other first and abusing women, how’s that for a change.
Dear Rev. Kelly Allen, only God could have said it any better…. Thank you sooooo much!!!!! : )