Author: Angi Mooney
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NLT
Throughout God's word we find promises and commands. He sets parameters of what we can expect in our relationship with Him. Every time He does this throughout the Bible it is a two-way proposition. We can't expect Him to just do what we want Him to. It is an, If you do this THEN you can expect that.
Philippians 4:6 tells us not to worry, then it goes on to say pray about everything. It also says, tell Him what you need and to thank Him for all He has done. We are responsible for our half of the relationship. In verse 7 it is stated that THEN we will receive God's peace! There is that word again, THEN. When we obey God's word, He blesses us beyond measure. As verse 7 says, His peace will guard our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus. God loves us unconditionally! However, if we want the fullness of God's presence in our lives, THEN we have to get to know Him, know His heart. There's that word again, THEN.
God's unconditional love is guaranteed. When we participate in the relationship with Jesus that love is experienced in a much more intimate way. God is not a genie in a bottle, nor is He an impersonal counselor. He wants a relationship with us, He wants to share His heart with us as we share our hearts with Him. He longs to give us peace and joy but He cannot do that unless we open up to Him and give him access to our hearts.
Jesus is the way to love, peace, and joy. Reach out to Him, get to know Him, to know His heart.