Anxious thoughts...and God's peace

The thoughts about Brian’s deploying to Iraq are being shoved to the back of my mind…I’m really not wanting to deal with the emotions and the thoughts about saying goodbye to him for a year as he goes to war.

This morning our pastor shared some thoughts the Lord has been pressing on his mind…different situations people in the congregation have been sharing with him – and he wanted to encourage, rejoice along with and exhort – depending on the need. My need was for these words: Phil 4:6, 7 & 8.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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 Christ Jesus. Finally brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

So, I read these words and there are a few that I want to know what does that word really mean? Is there a word picture that will help me understand this better? A couple of the words that stick out to me are “anxious,” and “guard.”

Anxious in the Greek actually means “to draw in different directions, to distract.” So an anxious care is distracting and drawing me in different directions – especially away from God.

Guard is a military word…appropriately enough: To guard, protect by a military guard, either to prevent hostile invasion, or to keep the inhabitants of a besieged city from flight. You have the aspect of guarding to protect and also guarding to keep. So not only does God’s peace guard our hearts and minds but will also keep our hearts and minds.

I don’t think I ever thought of this part of it though. I always just stopped at the end of v. 7. There is a responsibility on my part….and that is thinking on good, lovely, pure, true and noble things. So, I can’t be dwelling on all the fears and anxious thoughts I have and then expect God to protect my mind and heart and give me peace. My thoughts need to be filled with truth! About who God is, about His love for me, His love for Brian, His promises...the truth that He will be to me EVERYTHING that He is!

I need to be turning my anxious and distracting thoughts, through prayer, with a thankful heart that He is in control, over to Him for His safekeeping and guarding. He can take care of the fearful thoughts. They aren’t too big for Him. He wants to protect and keep my mind and heart with His peace and allow me to live joyfully knowing He is in complete control of Brian. Good thoughts, good lessons learning to dwell in the shelter!