Philippians 4:6–7 Context
Philippians starts with a greeting from Paul to the church in Philippi, a prayer for “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The book ends here with a reminder that peace is bookended for some hard topics, like resisting false teachers and facing suffering.
Since these letters were often read out loud to the whole church, Paul wanted these thoughts to be among the last words the believers heard.
Philippians 4:6–7 Meaning
Every time a fear surfaces in our minds, we have two choices: dwell on our worry or give it up to God in prayer.
Paul tells us that trusting God with our anxiety is the better way, no matter what: “about anything” and “in every situation” covers it all. There’s no fear that you can’t take to God to be replaced with his peace.
This peace isn’t a general calm with no troubles. It’s an active peace; it “guards” both our hearts (emotions) and minds (thoughts).
That’s military language, like the Psalms describing God as our defender and shield against enemies. When we pray, we aren’t just comforted; we’re protected.
Besides that, God’s peace “transcends all understanding.” Our human minds can’t explain it or even fully grasp it.
If you’ve ever seen fellow believers choose to trust God in the middle of terrible suffering and wondered how they were able to do it, you’ve seen this amazing peace at work.
How can we know this is true? Just before this passage, in verse 5, Paul reminds us, “The Lord is near.”
Not far off in a distant heaven, blissfully unbothered by human troubles and only able to be reached by a few super-spiritual people, but “near.” When we pray, God hears us, because he’s always close by.
Philippians 4:6–7 Application
So often we believe it’s up to us to be strong and fight anxiety. But here, Paul tells us that it is God who guards us and gives us peace. Yes, we have a part to play, but it’s not making a list, gritting our teeth, and trying harder.
It’s turning constantly to prayer in every moment of fear, choosing to be thankful, and resting in the peace God gives through Jesus.
Challenge yourself to put this into practice by praying short prayers for peace when your instinct is to worry instead, and thank God for being close enough to hear and loving enough to care.
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”