Week 11: Philippians 4:6-7

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."  Phil 4:6-7 (NLT)

This is one of may most favorite passages of scripture. This, and the proceeding verses are such simple promises, yet God is so faithful to their truth. 

Continuing the idea of being thankful, which leads to a sense of peace, is carried over to from our passage last week. He calls us so simply to give our reasons for worry and fret to Him. He calls us to do it thankfully (again, so we dont forget what he has already done) and promises to allow His peace to overwhelm to the point that it doesnt even make sense that we are are feeling that way!

One thing that is striking to me about this being thankful/get peace idea is that it requires something from us. It is a purposeful awareness, not a passive experience where we focus and are filled with a sense of peace.

Peace is something that requires we are aware of our reasons for anxiety, that we purposefully give them to Him and in the process we be thankful for what has already been done for us. He promises peace, but asks us to do this part in order to be blessed by it. 

It presents a challenge that will carry over to the next passage ...center your heart and MIND, so that both will be guarded against the anxieties that can easily take over in both places. 

Again, a wonderful and precious promise to keep in mind and heart.

{Blessed to be part of ifellowship and Women Living Well blog hops this morning!}