Philippians 4:6-7

“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”

Terms:

•    Anxiety: Biblical anxiety is defined as excessive worry, care, self-centered lack of trust in God’s wisdom / sovereignty or power.  Delighting in the Lord, meditating on His Word, prayer and thanksgiving are antidotes for anxiety. (Anxiety and prayer are two great opposing forces in Christian experience) {1 Peter 5:7 “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you
• Peace of God:  The opposite of anxiety; inner calm or tranquility that is promised and comes when believers commit there cares to God in prayer.  Not merely a psychological state of mind, but an inner tranquility based on peace with God; the peaceful state of those whose sins are forgiven.  (Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ)
• Surpasses all comprehension:  Refers to the divine origin and peace of God’s love, it’s full dimensions and care transcends human intellect, analysis and insight
• Guard:  A military concept; meaning God’s “to keep a watch over” meaning God’s peace guards (His protective custody for those who are in Christ) believers from anxiety, doubt fear and distress to the core of their beings and to their deepest intentions. (1^st Peter 1:5 “who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”)
• Hearts and minds:  Paul was not making a distinction between the two he was giving a comprehensive statement referring to the whole inner person.  Because of the believers relationship with the Lord Jesus, Jesus guards his inner being with peace.

Prayer is the antidote to worry and the cure for anxiety.  God promises that no trial believers face will be too difficult for them to handle.

1^st Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

God expects us as believers to cry out to him when we have a need or problem not with doubting, questioning, or even blaming but with “thanksgiving”.

Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving” 

God has also promised that He will use all things in a believers life for good.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

When someone has become a child of God and has made “peace with God” in salvation he can have “peace with God”, the inward tranquility of the soul that is beyond understanding that is granted by God.

Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Paul further defines this supernatural peace as that which surpasses all “comprehension / understanding”.  It transcends human intellectual powers, human analysis, human insights, and human understanding. 

Romans 11:33 “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”

The goal of Christianity is not to get rid of all unpleasant circumstances it is to be able to trust in our infinite, holy, sovereign, powerful God in every difficulty. 

•      “The MacArthur New Testament Commentary”
•       “The MacArthur Study Bible”
•       “The NIV Study Bible”
•       “Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible”
• “John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible”