Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
In Philippians 4:7, Paul speaks of a special peace that comes from God, a peace that passes all understanding. This peace is not something that can be bought or achieved through earthly means.
It is something the world cannot offer, and no matter how hard we try, we cannot find it anywhere except in God. When we experience this peace, it is beyond anything we can fully explain or comprehend—it touches both the heart and the mind.
This peace from God transforms how we think and feel. It calms our emotions, gives us mental clarity, and brings a sense of security that goes beyond anything the world can give. It even affects our physical lives, improving how we sleep, how we handle our relationships, and even the quality of our work.
But how do we get this peace, and more importantly, how do we maintain it?
1. Peace With God
The first step to experiencing the peace of God is to have peace with God. This only comes through Jesus Christ and salvation. Before we are saved, the Bible tells us that we are enemies of God (Romans 5:10). Our sin separates us from Him, and there can be no peace until that separation is resolved. But when we trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, we are forgiven, and our relationship with God is restored. Now, instead of being enemies, we are His friends, and with that friendship comes peace.
Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This peace with God is the foundation for all other peace. Without it, there is no way to experience the peace of God in our lives. It starts with salvation and continues as we grow closer to Him.
2. The Peace of God
Once we have peace with God, we can now experience the peace of God. This peace comes through obedience to His Word. When we follow His commandments, live according to His truth, and trust in Him, we are promised a peace that the world cannot give.
Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” As we live in obedience to Christ, His peace will fill our hearts and minds.
Thankfulness also plays a big role in keeping our peace. Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
A thankful heart helps maintain peace because it shifts our focus from what we don’t have to what we’ve been blessed with. When we recognize all that God has done for us, His peace becomes stronger in our lives.
3. Peace in Direction
Finally, one of the greatest desires in life is to understand why God put us here and what our purpose is. When we discover God’s will for our lives, it brings a special peace. We are all made uniquely, and God has a specific job for each of us. As we seek His direction and follow His plan, we experience peace, knowing we are fulfilling the purpose He created us for.
Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” As we walk in the direction God leads us, we can rest in His peace, knowing that we are exactly where He wants us to be.
In conclusion, the peace of God is something every believer can experience, but it starts with having peace with God through salvation. From there, we can enjoy the peace of God as we live in obedience to Him and maintain a thankful heart. And as we follow God’s direction for our lives, we find even greater peace, knowing that we are living out the purpose He has for us.
