FB post June 20
For many years the only interpretation I’d heard of God’s peace transcending our understanding (Philippians 4:6-7) was that we can’t understand/comprehend the peace we experience in difficult tests and trials, but God gives us His peace in those dark times. But this past week God was reminding us again of another way to look at it that He showed us a number of years ago as we sought Him (which might be a word someone else needs to hear now too).
I believe He showed me that His peace also transcends our understanding in the sense that it can transcend our ability to understand what in the world is happening in our situation, why, and what to do about it. In other words – it’s not necessarily that we don’t understand this peace we’re able to have in the storm ~ it’s that when we don’t understand our circumstances, why they’re happening, or what to do ~ His peace can transcend and trump our understanding, or lack thereof, of our situation.
HOW can we have that kind of peace? He showed us it’s not the result of UNDERSTANDING everything about our situation; it’s the result of TRUSTING even when we don’t understand. He 
connected Philippians 4:6-7 for me with Proverbs 3:5-6 ~ showing that this peace is the result of trusting Him with all our hearts and not leaning on our own understanding of what’s happening in our circumstances, why, or what to do about it.
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. Philippians 4:6-7
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
He also tied these together with Isaiah 26:3-4 – again stressing that His PERFECT PEACE is not the result of understanding everything going on in our situation (or what to do about it), but is the result of keeping our minds fixed on Him ~ steadfastly trusting Him and His promises ~ even when we don’t understand.
You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages]. Isaiah 26:3-4
Blessings and Prayers,
Laura
#OhForGraceToTrustHimMore
#PerfectPeaceIsTheResultOfTrusting_NotOfUnderstanding
