"We tend to want our hearts and minds to protect the peace of God within us. Paul actually reverses this and says that the peace of God protects our hearts and minds. But this does not happen simply because we present our petitions to God. It is quite possible to be anxious on our knees. We might list all our concerns and have it be nothing but a worry session in prayer. Paul says, in effect, that the thing necessary to keep this from happening is thanksgiving. We must present our petitions with thanksgiving" (Beyond Stateliest Marble, p. 215).
I read this quote this week and it was a huge blessing to me. I have been having a rough time this year with worry (always a favorite among my sins) and I found that when I forced myself to thank God for things in my prayers I could feel my mind and heart turning toward peace. Then I knew how to seek peace and pursue it.
No comments:
Post a Comment