Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.
Acts 12:5-6
Peter was in jail for his faith in Christ. There was no imaginable escape from a trial and probably a speedy execution. Yet Peter was asleep. We previously mentioned that while anxiety is real and frequently overtakes believers, and while God uses our anxiety to draw us to Himself, He draws us that we might experience His peace.
In previous posts, we unpacked three important passages regarding anxiety and peace. This time let’s consider “the peace of God” and how to sustain it..
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; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Note first that the results of doing what verse 6 says to do—and I would say it is a promise—is the peace of God. Do not miss the fact that as Jesus said in John 14, the peace He gives is different from any other peace. It is not the peace the world gives (John14:27), and it is a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). God’s peace, especially in times of anxiety-producing duress, causes others to wonder how we can be so calm. It often even surprises we who are often anxious, how much peace we are experiencing.
Note secondly that there is no promise to deliver us from circumstances or feelings. Rather it is of a peace that “guards our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”—even in the worst of circumstances and when our feelings continue to harass us.
Lastly, how do we sustain this peace? I leave you with Philippians 4:8:
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.