It's hard to imagine meditating on Philippians 4:6 without including Philippians 4:7. Obeying the first will bring about the reward described in the second. And what a reward!

Prayer ″in every situation″ (v. 6) with thanksgiving to God brings about the reward of ″the peace of God, which transcends all understanding″ (v. 7). This peace arises not because we're in control, have a plan, or figured out all the options. It's not something we think, will, or create. Instead, it's God's peace, which is instant, tangible, and above all, supra-rational, meaning it is above and beyond reason. We find ourselves resting in the Lord, who imparts a peace the world can't comprehend, let alone replicate.

Take a moment to thank God daily for His infinite mystery: His knowledge, insight, understanding, wisdom, and ways. The Lord declares: ″As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts″ (Isaiah 55:9). How good that we don't have to understand something in order to rest assured that God does-and to experience His peace.

Paul says the peace of God will ″guard your hearts and your minds″ (Philippians 4:7). The world, the flesh, and the devil want nothing more than to entice, distract, and contaminate our hearts and minds. Solomon advises in Proverbs 4:23, ″Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it″. Yet, tragically, he let his own guard down, walked away from the Lord, and worshipped despicable idols (1 Kings 11:1-11). Almost every other good king of Judah let down his guard as well (the only exception was King Jotham, see 2 Chronicles 27:1-9).

However, let's not feel defeated or discouraged. We can be assured that God constantly searches us (Psalm 7:9; 139:23-24; Revelation 2:23). What's more, He has placed His new covenant (testament)-the life-changing gospel-in our hearts and minds (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10; 10:16). Best of all? The Spirit of Jesus Christ has come to dwell within us (Philippians 1:19; Romans 8:11) and always longs to fill us (Acts 13:52; Ephesians 5:18). In turn, His filling produces good fruit (Romans 15:13; Galatians 5:22-23), including love, joy, and peace.

It may seem hard to hold on to God's peace in the midst of difficult or chaotic circumstances. Still, let us draw hope and strength from the knowledge of who God is, what He has done for us in Christ Jesus, and what the Spirit continues to do in us.