Philippians 4:6-7  Amplified version

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition [definite requests], with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.  And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus 

It has been awhile since I have posted a devotional.  This has been a growing season for me where I have taken in so many lessons that it has kept me from being able to share with you.  I am excited to share this new devotional with you for I know many of us are facing anxiety and uncertainty in our lives and in our nation right now.  This passage of Scripture became very real and ALIVE in my life this past week and I realized it is important to share with you since worry sure does take a toll on our physical health, as well as our emotional and spiritual health.

My husband and I had an incident in which someone we trusted did something that appeared to be dishonest and which we thought could have life changing implications. In the incident that occurred the facts just didn’t add up in our minds.  My mind went to the worst possible scenario that could be which I then shared with my husband, Mike, and soon we both had a gut wrenching fear.  That night we just prayed together and laid the situation and our fears at the foot of the cross and then actually slept pretty well.  I also put my petition to the Lord to expose where the lies were coming from.  We knew they were either from this trusted person or from Satan!  By the next evening, every part of the story that didn’t add up had been answered and we were so relieved to know that it was the lies of the enemy pounding our hearts and minds and that this had been an honest and totally innocent situation.  That night we went to sleep with the peace that passes all understanding.            

We actually experienced this scripture and the truth of God's Word in our lives and God's amazing faithfulness when we make our petitions know to Him! 

1. First, we gave all our anxiety to God, we prayed and put our petition before Him and then

2.  We did experience the peace that scripture promises when we do this. 

Words on a page became our personal experience.  We personally experienced the power of God’s Word working in our lives!  We experienced verse 7 in the peace, which is that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison (protect, defend, to station troops) and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.   That’s what God did for us, He put troops to guard our hearts and minds from the lies of the enemy so we could experience such a deep peace that truly goes beyond human understanding!  It ties into what our Pastor said recently as he referred to Isaiah 55:8-11; that we can’t even come to begin to understand the thoughts and the greatness of God….  I don’t understand that peace either, but I sure did experience it! 

If you have a care right now about your health, I invite you to lay your worries at the feet of Jesus and ask Him for a plan to improve your situation.  Then wait expectantly as He gently guides you into the answer!  Remember to listen and to give yourself the same wonderful grace He gives you!!

My prayer for you:

Dear Lord, as we step forward into unsure and unknown places in our lives, no matter the circumstance, may You give us that peace of tranquil state of the soul, that peace that is so deep, nothing can steal it away.  Please station troops around our hearts and minds so the lies of the enemy cannot come in to steal our joy!  Just as You, Jesus, our Shepherd gather Your lambs in Your arms and carry them close to Your heart, may we also feel gathered in and safe and warm in Your arms. Please bless every person reading this with many unexpected gifts and heavenly jewels of peace in their hearts as they lay their prayers and petitions at the foot of the cross through these coming days, weeks and months.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 Isaiah 40:11

11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
       He gathers the lambs in his arms
       and carries them close to his heart;
       he gently leads those that have young.