Too often, after we have prayed about a matter, we continue to worry about it. We replay the situation in our minds, trying to determine how God will answer, when He will answer, and what steps He will take to accomplish His will. In doing so, we often exchange faith for anxiety and trust for stress.
This week, our focus is learning to rest in God’s peace. Once we have prayed and placed a matter in His hands, we must trust Him to work according to His wisdom and timing. God does not need our assistance in figuring out how to answer prayer. He already knows the solution before we recognize the problem. Our responsibility is to trust Him and allow His peace to guard our hearts and minds.
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”— Philippians 4:7 (KJV)
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”— Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”— 1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
Many believers find it easy to pray but difficult to trust after they pray. We bring our concerns to God and then immediately begin trying to figure out how He is going to solve the problem. We worry, speculate, and rehearse every possible outcome until our minds become exhausted.
Yet the peace of God is designed to free us from that burden. God’s peace is not the absence of problems; it is the confidence that God is in control despite the problems. His peace surpasses human understanding because it remains present even when circumstances have not yet changed.
This week, after you pray, choose to trust. Refuse to become consumed with figuring out how God will answer. The God who heard your prayer is the same God who knows the end from the beginning. Place your concerns in His hands and allow His peace to settle your heart, calm your mind, and strengthen your faith.