Guarded by Peace

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 7
 
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
My oldest son was leaving for college at the end of the summer, and I was anxious about this new phase of life. Would he be able to resist the peer pressure in that godless environment? A thousand things ran through my mind. I prayed a lot for my son, but didn’t seem able to leave it all with the Lord.
Then, during the summer, a letter arrived, a monthly mailing sent out by an older brother in our gathering. He would photocopy a calendar page he had enjoyed and write a few encouraging words of his own. The reference on this page was Philippians 4:6-7: “Be careful [anxious] for nothing  ...  let your requests be made known unto God  ...  peace  ...  which [passes]  ...  understanding.” This was what I needed just then — peace! I hung the note on the refrigerator where I could see it often, sensing that God had sent this especially to me in my need.
The day came for my son to pack up and drive away. I expected to struggle with the parting, but instead I felt excitement for him as he started out on this new adventure. Yes, our goodbyes this time had a new character; a bend lay in the road beyond which I could not see, but my heart and mind were guarded by a peace that was not of my own making.
This experience became a mile marker on my path of faith. When my faith is weak, I look back to that time when God proved Himself faithful to His doubting child, and I am emboldened to rest in Him once again. Praise His name! “God is faithful” (1 Cor. 1:9).