The Peace that surpasses all understanding - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) August 29, 2023

"Peace that surpasses all understanding." This is a term many Christians have heard of and, on some level, comprehend what it means. That peace arises in the moments where a person somehow is not bothered or worried, despite the chaos brewing around them. That peace is evident when, for some inexplicable reason, a person can sing and dance even as things fall apart. Someone looking in from the outside would see such a person and think they were crazy. They'd wonder how and why the person with peace isn't freaking out.

The peace of mind that surpasses all understanding is a great gift to have and it is one each of us can receive from the Father, no matter what's going on. He's actually told us how in Philippians 4:6-7 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. That unexplainable peace that sits in a person's heart makes them rest the way Jesus was able to sleep on a boat in a storm. And to get it, we have to meet the stated condition - we have to put our fears and anxieties to the side then place our requests before God with thanksgiving. Then, we shall receive the peace of God and it will guard our hearts and minds, helping us resist the devil and all the weapons it has formed against us.

This is one of the reasons why satan attacks people with the arrows of doubt and fear. It wants God's children to think that their Father can't show up in the tough moments. It wants those who believe in Jesus to think some problems are too big for the Almighty. And yet, here's what God said to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 32:27 - Jeremiah, I am the Lord God. I rule the world, and I can do anything (CEV). When satan attacks and it feels like all the walls are closing in, it hopes that we'll turn our attention away from the Lord and only see how large the challenges are. The devil does not want us to apply Philippians 4:6 because then, we'll have the peace of God and will no longer submit to its schemes to terrorize us and keep us anxious about...well, everything.

And we must remember that God is building us up - molding us - for His purpose. Part of the reason He allows us to face issues is to toughen us up and give us the necessary spiritual skills and muscle to not fall for the devil's wicked schemes. This means, God will take us through experiences where we learn how to put our anxiety and fears to the side, shifting them out of the way so we can present our petitions with a clear head and ample praises to Him. We've got to let the Lord take us through those valleys of life and trust that He will ultimately bring us up to the mountain peak. It's not easy and most people don't want to sign up for such an experience. However, when we remember that God did this with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph (in Egypt), Moses, Joshua, David, Naomi and Ruth, Daniel, Esther, Mary (mother of Jesus), Martha and her sister, Mary (the sisters of Lazarus) as well as so many other men and women of God, we've got to submit to God's plan and purpose. Even if it will hurt.

1 Peter 5:10 - But God shows undeserved kindness to everyone. That's why he appointed Christ Jesus to choose you to share in his eternal glory. You will suffer for a while, but God will make you complete, steady, strong, and firm (CEV).

We must let God have His way with us so that we emerge as the well-trained children who when faced with anxieties can push them aside, get on our knees, and pray with thanksgiving to the Lord. Then, we will receive the peace that surpasses all understanding. This shall be our portion, IJMN, Amen.