A peace which transcends all understanding

  We have all seen the famous “Footprints in the Sand” poem. You know the one: a man is walking on the beach with God and he sees the footprints of himself and God in the sand and when he questions God about why there was only one set of footprints in the sand during the lowest points in his life God tells him those were the times He carried the man.

  It is meant as influential prose designed to reaffirm that God is always there for us in our time of need. Although these types of things are helpful reminders, one need not look past the Bible to see references to God being there to provide strength and encouragement to us in our lives. All you have to do is go straight to the source for inspiration.

  I would like to write today a little about anxiety or worry because in today’s high paced world this seems to be a common problem. Whether it be stress at work, peer pressure, or a health issue, to name a few examples, people have all sorts of things that cause them stress. When you are down where do you turn? When you feel the world closing in around you where do you go for strength? How do you relieve your anxiety? Is it through distraction?

  Distraction can make you forget about your worry for a little while but it does not offer a permanent solution, in fact it does not offer a solution at all. The solution you are looking for is turning your worries over to God through prayer and petition. There are several Bible verses about not being afraid or not worrying–just to name a couple:

  Matthew 6:27: “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (NIV)

  Matthew 6:34: “Therefor do not worry about tomorrow” (NIV)

 It is easy to tell somebody not to worry about something but what is the key to not worrying? I believe it comes to us from Philippians 4:6,7–because this is the verse which gives us the instruction on how to find the peace we are all looking for and it is one of my favorite verses in the Bible.

  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 4:6,7 NIV)

   The key is to turn your life over to God, to put all your faith in Him and to trust Him and when you do, and you do it honestly, you will feel Him walking with you and strengthening you in whatever you are facing in your life that is causing you to worry. You will be filled with a peace which transcends all understanding. 

  When that peace comes over you, or you feel that rest in your time of distress, you will know then that God is carrying you when you need Him and it is an amazing feeling which cannot be explained. God is in control and it is as if He is saying “I got this.” 

   Jesus said it Himself: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)