Peace in God 

   “Don’t worry about anything, but present your needs to God in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving.  Then the peace of God, which is beyond all understanding, will guard your hearts and  your minds in Jesus Christ.” (Phil 4: 4 – 7) 

   I grew up with a father who was a worrier.  He worried about everything, even the most trivial of things.  It made him miserable and negatively impacted his health.  His constant worrying taught me that worrying is usually futile and unhealthy.

   Worrying rarely, if ever, results in a solution.  Rather it increases anxiety in life.  Fretting about every little thing is a trap of Satan, a means to draw us into ourselves and away from God.  We feel that we are alone with no one to help, but God is always with us.

   Even in times of crisis we can find peace and comfort when we accept what comes as the will of God.  Nothing happens to us that God is unaware of.  He knows of our pain and our struggles.  He will grant us peace when we offer those things to Him in prayer, a peace that can overcome any trial. 

   I find it odd, but true, that many times the worst moments in life can bring us closer to God if we will turn to Him, accepting His will and seeking His strength.  When we feel most lost and forsaken, God is there to strengthen and comfort us.  He will never turn away from us even though, in our despair, we often turn into ourselves rather than turning to God. 

   The peace of God can overcome all anxiety, all worry in our lives.  By giving ourselves over to God and His will we can overcome any obstacle, any trial.  His peace is beyond all understanding.  He is love and His love for us is eternal.  Worry has no place within us when we place ourselves in His hands.