Controlling your thoughts can be difficult to do. Mainly because this world is full of messages being directed at you. Finding peace can be challenging in this bombardment of ideas and advertisements. Most advice I’ve read concerning finding peace revolves around finding time to spend isolation away from others and focus on controlling your thoughts. While I agree that this is good practice, this is only half of what the Apostle Paul recommends in Philippians 4. Let’s look at it;

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” - Philippians 4:8

In Philippians 4:7, the Apostle Paul says to focus on anything that falls within this broad category of what I will call positive and praiseworthy. Spending only a small amount of additional time focusing on these things would initiate a considerable improvement in the condition and posture of our hearts. If we could learn not only to block out the negative, the things that draw down our attention and attitude, we would experience loads more peace and contentment and find it easier to praise God. Yet, Paul doesn’t stop with this mental exercise.

Not only does the Apostle Paul state that we should choose to focus on the positive and praiseworthy, but he says to actively practice what we have received and heard…." and the God of Peace will be with you." It is not only in the mental jousting, the defense against negative thoughts, that we find peace. It is in the active practice of what we have learned of Christ and living a life "worthy of the gospel." This echoes back to what Paul stated a few chapters prior. He urges, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." This is the stunning truth: Peace doesn't come through isolation from all the things that threaten it, but in the active and responsible response.

How should you and I respond to threats to our peace without resorting to isolationism?

You and I must meditate on God's sovereignty, not only regarding our circumstances but over our needs. It is often the case that we imagine God to be sovereign over what is happening around us but not regarding what's happening within us. God is not busily orchestrating our outer world only to be left off guard, so to speak, regarding our needs and the inner workings of our hearts. God knows both intimately. He can see our circumstances and our needs. Jesus said, "Your father knows your needs before you ask" (Matthew 6:8). God has created us uniquely and individually, and he knows our needs.

Essentially, Paul is not recommending that we overcome threats to our peace by practicing some form of mental gymnastics, requiring us to overpower their influence by just not thinking about it. He is urging us to trust in God's sovereignty in the practical matters of walking with Jesus. In Philippians 46-7, just before giving these practical instructions, the Apostle Paul says to "make your request known to God and the peace of God will guard your heart and mind."

Today, as you walk with the Lord, something may threaten your peace. You may have a need that causes you to worry about how you can press on. Trust that God is aware of that need and the circumstances. Only make your request known to God and continue to practice what you have learned. The promise is that as you look up at what's praise working and continue practicing what you've learned, you'll have peace.