Have you ever thought that a vacation would relieve your anxiety or that you could work out your worries at the gym? The truth is, no one can achieve total freedom from heartache, burdens, or trouble. However, we can have peace during anxious times. Serenity is a gift from our heavenly Father--it can't be manufactured. The Holy Spirit produces a sense of calm in believers who seek the Lord's protection against anxiety. In Philippians 4:6-7, the Greek word translated as "guard" means "to keep with a garrison." God wraps our heart and mind in His peace, safeguarding both against all-consuming worry or fear. Notice that He doesn't make all our problems go away. So while we may still be under pressure or prone to weep, we are cushioned against anxiety and surrounded by calm instead.
Jesus said to seek peace in Him because He has overcome this troublesome world (John 16:33). Let's shift our focus from our vexing problem to God and ask for His peace to surround us today. Remember, He's the only one with limitless resources and power, and He wants to meet our needs (Ps 50:10: Rom 8:11).