In every situation we can Pray to God and experience the Peace of God.
'Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything,but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.'
Philippians 4v4-7 (NIV)
Sometimes I think the Biblical authors are completely out of sink with reality.
'Rejoice in the Lord always.' How can we rejoice - there's nothing joyful about self isolation and social distancing. 'Do not be anxious about anything.' How can we not worry - we are in the middle of a pandemic which is threatening our very existence. Rejoice, don't worry! The last time I looked on social media there was a notable absence of joy and an overriding presence of worry. However, the reason we can be joyful and not be anxious is because: 'The Lord is near'. Through the death of Jesus, for our sin, we now have access to God in prayer and can receive the peace of God. We do not need to be in a special building or a sacred space we can talk to God anytime, anywhere about anything - not least the things we are anxious about.
First, in every situation learn to Pray to God: 'In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.' Telling the world about your worries through social media is not prayer to God! The invitation is to talk with God, tell him your anxieties. As another writer put it: 'Cast all your anxiety on Him for he cares for you.' (1 Peter 5v7) The way not to be anxious about anything is to pray about everything to our Father God who cares deeply for you.
Second, in every situation experience the Peace of God: 'And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.' The peace of God is all sufficient. Just as worries overwhelm us and consume us, so the Peace of God will guard our hearts and minds from worry.
This peace is not found anywhere else,'it transcends all understanding'. It is a supernatural peace, the peace of God.
God is not far off, he is near, so Pray to God and you will experience the Peace of God.
Prayer
Thank you Father that you care for us immensely and listen to our prayers. Teach me to trust you so that I will talk to you about all my anxieties. In your mercy and grace will you fill my life with your peace, and guard my heart and mind from every anxious thought and feeling.