This is probably something everyone wishes they could attain but seems so out of reach for so many. We can catch a glimpse here and there. When we take time in the presence of God, our fears and troubles seem to melt away as we seek God’s spirit in prayer and worship. But as soon as we exit the prayer closet, we are instantly assaulted by every problem we left behind when we entered. And for most of us, fear is the roommate that we never could move away from. It’s always there in the back of the mind, using it’s twisted influence to cause us to do, or not do, seemingly the exact opposite of what God is calling us to.

I remember a time in my life when I was so bound by fear that I couldn’t imagine walking in perfect peace. As a child I was terrified of my parent’s basement. The thought of something coming out of the walls and attacking me was so petrifying that anytime I heard a noise while down there, I would freeze. Sometimes it literally took someone else walking down the stairs to free me and allow me to continue with what I was doing.

I was afraid of the dark. If I was outside at night the headlights on cars traveling in my direction appeared to be the eyes of some dark creature coming for me.

I also had other fears, which, although much less aggressive, probably were the most powerful and most binding ones in my life. For example, I was afraid of giving my opinion on most topics and taking the risk of other’s disapproval. This particular fear was one of the more deadly ones for me as it robbed me of any sort of meaningful conversation with anyone for the first fifteen years of my life.

As I have analyzed the struggle of my adolescent years, the realization came to me that fear often is irrational, and it takes nothing more than a reviewing of the facts of the situation to disarm it to a point where we can begin to work toward overcoming it completely.

Another comforting notion is the fact that God is aware of the daily struggle that we face against fear. As it happens, the solution to having victory in these constant mental battles is listed clearly and concisely in scripture. This is a very short passage, and so perhaps overlooked by many. I had been reading the Bible for many years before the Lord pointed out to me the power and importance of these two verses. But once I saw it, it changed my life. Now bear in mind, I will rarely say this. Other than discovering these verses there are only two times that my life was changed so drastically. The first was my salvation, and the second my wedding day. This third life change was just as drastic because I went from someone who was controlled by fear to someone who had control over it. But I must say, it was not an instant change. It happened over time as I learned and implemented the things I am writing about here. The habits that I created around this topic have allowed me to become a person who no longer has an identity of helplessness against my situation, but an identity of strength in the Lord. I have seen God work in my life, and I have invested in my relationship with Him. I am confident of His closeness to me and His power that continues to work in my life. That confidence eclipses the challenges and difficulties that I face. They are no less challenging, but I am not alone.

What I have described here is the result of walking out what I am writing about. If you follow the plan that God has given, you also will arrive at the place that I have. And so, I give you 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.

Philippians 4:6-7

Let’s take a quick look at the first sentence in these verses. What is the command God gives us through the Apostle Paul? “Be anxious for nothing.” Or in today’s culture, a more common wording would read “do not be anxious about anything.”

So God is forbidding anxiety. Fear goes hand in hand with anxiety. How can God do this knowing the struggles of so many? By His own power. When God gives a command, He empowers and enables obedience to all who are willing.

Continuing our study of these verses will reveal the plan that God has given to arm us against fear. There are four things God commands:

1. “In everything.” God wants us to know that this is how we are to respond to every situation. Any time anything comes, this is how we should handle it. Let’s commit right now to obedience and start to develop this into a habit.

2. “By prayer and supplication.” With this God is showing us where we should turn. Many of us are naturally analytic, myself included. My reflex response to any situation is to think about the facts and figure out the solution. Others are more intuitive and look to their feelings to help determine whether things are going to be okay. But God says don’t do either as an initial response. He says look to Him first.

3. “With thanksgiving.” Remember what God has done for you in the past. Remember how He has been there for you every time you needed Him and even when you felt like you didn’t. In fact, the only reason you are still here is because He was there for you. Think about these things and thank God for some of them as they come to your mind. When your heart and mind are in a posture of thanksgiving, it is very difficult for fear or anxiety to gain a foothold.

4. “Let your requests be made known to God.” Take everything to the Lord in prayer. God is supposed to be your first love. Your relationship with Him should be stronger and deeper than any other relationship in your life. It is completely appropriate to take your issues and questions to God before even your spouse. It’s more than appropriate; it’s essential.

Walking in obedience to these four commands in Philippians 4:6 will bring about the fruit of Philippians 4:7, which is God’s peace. This is a peace that is so deep and powerful that you can’t be phased by any situation. God himself describes this peace as one that “surpasses all understanding.” Those around you will not understand how you can be at peace when the world is falling apart. When the government is laying down laws that run contrary to what the Bible commands. When the culture condemns standing up for yourself and the biblical values that you have held dear your whole life. When they try to force you to act out evil, speak evil, and even think evil. If you are obedient to these scriptures, you will be full of peace and your frantic neighbors and friends will notice. This is an open door to share with them about the goodness of God in your life.

There is a second take I would like to point out on Philippians 4:7. Peace that surpasses all understanding is not only an opportunity to share the gospel with the people around you, but it is also a deterrent against the enemy. The devil is included when the text says “all understanding.” Your peace will also surpass the Devil’s understanding, which means He will be disarmed and powerless to fight against it.

In closing, please read Philippians 4:6-7 again, but in the New Living Translation. I have studied these verses in many English translations as well as the original language it was written in, and I believe it was most accurately translated to English in this version.

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.

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

As you go about your day today, remember the phrase “as you live in Christ Jesus.” If He is not first in your heart and first on your mind, He will not have the place He desires in order to work the fruit of this scripture in your life. Jesus should be the first one we talk to about everything. If you don’t remember anything in this blog post remember that, and it will take you a long way.