Philippians 4:6-9
Verse 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The last few days we have been talking about the peace we have with Christ through obedience. Today we shift ever so slightly to start looking at the working of peace in our lives. Our passage today leads us on the path of living a life of peace. Paul starts the passage listing something we all feel from time to time, anxiety. Paul gives a way to ease this stress in our lives. He tells us how we should pray about everything, telling God what we need, all the while thanking Him for all He has already done in our lives. It is through this that God gives us peace which we can’t understand.
The peace of God can’t be understood and it is just as hard to explain. How does one explain something they feel but can’t understand? Paul is making the point that while anxiety is easily attained, and even easier to loiter in, there is something better and those who rely on God have access to this better option. But though we have access to this better option, it isn’t automatically given to us. Just as when we have a key to a locked door, we have to put the key in the lock and turn it to open the door, we need to choose to leave the anxious thoughts and turn our focus onto God and all He is and what He has done for us.
Peter started sinking in the stormy waters when he focused on them instead of keeping his eyes and focus on Jesus. We start sinking deeper into our anxiety when we start focusing on our troubles. It only makes sense that we head to what our focus is on. When we head towards what we are focusing on, it becomes what consumes our thoughts. As Christians we should be focusing on God, consumed with Him.
As we head towards Christmas we need to ask ourselves where our focus is. If it is on the things which the world focuses on during the holidays, we will head to the anxiety and stress of the temporal trappings of the season. But if we focus on the Babe in the manger and who He is, we will be guided to walk the path of peace He offers for eternity.
Making It Personal
Do you deal with anxiety? Where would you say your focus is? Would focusing on the birth of Jesus change this Christmas season from other holidays in your history?
Making It Personal Kids
What does worry look like? Does worry feel good? What does it mean to focus on Jesus?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for giving us an escape route from the anxiety which so easily ensnares us. Father, help us keep our focus locked on You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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