My Personal Security Guard

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:6-7

I was watching a mega-pastor on TV last week. His sermon was about guarding your heart. He gave all the ways his congregation should guard their hearts. I’m sure his people left thinking, “I’m going to guard my heart this coming week!” I was left thinking, “I haven’t done a very good job of guarding my heart, mind, and life so far. I’m not too sure I can follow all of this pastor’s directives without some help. I need some help with this because I’m pretty sure I can’t do this by myself.” I felt vulnerable and insecure. I felt left out there in this “cruel world” alone.

When I studied Philippians 4:6 and 7 and dug around in the verses I found (thank you, Jesus) that I have help. I don’t have to take the full responsibility of guarding my heart and mind. I don’t have to feel like the world is pounding me and I have to be “Rocky” and fight back all by myself. I have my own personal security guard.

My body guard is the peace of God. While this doesn’t sound like a very strong protector in our language (it made me think of the “peace, love” hippie movement) nothing could be farther from the real interpretation. This guard over the Christian’s thoughts and being is a military sentinel who actively dispenses whatever defensive or offensive fight techniques that are required to protect me.

Suddenly I feel secure. I feel safe. I have peace within whatever outward troubles may besiege my life. This is a divine peace in the middle of the warfare in my life.

I was asked to pray for a family that is really going through a “war” situation. While I felt helpless in their seemingly hopeless situation these verses kept resounding in my heart. In Christ Jesus this family and I can let our request be made known to our wonderful loving Father. And where we feel vulnerable to whatever is thrown at us, we have our personal security guard to take over. God will guard our heart, thoughts, feelings, and yearnings with His peace. It’s a force field around us.

Now that is protection.

I don’t face this awful stuff alone.

I am secure from any hostile attack.

I have peace from God Himself.

I have peace in Christ Jesus.

That is my personal body guard.