Peace of God

Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:1-9

Paul wanted to see the brethren at Philippi again. He missed the camaraderie he had enjoyed with this congregation when he was present with them. He felt a need to keep encouraging them to stand firm in the Lord, no matter what they would face in the days ahead.
Apparently, Paul knew of a conflict between a couple of the women of the Church. There seems to be always some conflict where people congregate. Each of us has an old sin nature, and our osns don’t miss a chance to irritate each other, about almost anything. There is no indication what their problem was, but Paul seemed to have real respect and appreciation for both of them, and was concerned that they resolve their differences in a Godly manner. We don’t know who he referred to as “true companion,” obviously a trusted elder in the Church who would care for the women just as Paul did, and would be in a position to council them toward personal reconciliation.

Again, the instruction to rejoice in the Person of Jesus Christ. It is actually a command. Without joy, a believer is powerless. Nehemiah 8:10…”the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Woebegone believers are not good representatives of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have everything to be happy about, and God has given us His very Own joy! Self-control is always the order of the day, and anxiety is counter-productive to the Christian Way of Life.

We are to pray about everything, humbly acknowledging God’s authority over our lives and circumstances. We always can be thankful for what we know He has provided for us, as well as what we have not yet realized that He has provided. We ask our Father for what we want and need, and simply wait for it. The peace of (which belongs to) God; His very Own peace. Eternal, supernatural, all-consuming; God’s peace—guards (garrisons; keeps advance watch over) your mental attitude. Isaiah 26:3…”You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

There’s nothing in the natural human soul that can comprehend that peace. It is God’s gift to those who totally trust in Him. Our happiness never depends on people or circumstances. Our happiness is that which we receive from our relationship to Jesus Christ.

We CAN control our mental attitude! We CAN help how we think! Think on things that are true, honorable, right, good, excellent, worthy of praise. That leaves no time for worry, anxiety and criticism. Remember the good times with friends and family, but mostly, keep recalling the doctrines of the faith and the promises of God that you have learned and are learning. Paul had diligently taught those things to the Churches he served, and stressed that those were the most important things to know. That will always be your stability. Not people, not politics, not entertainment. The Word of God.