I’ve Got Peace
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:6–7
There is a kind of peace that doesn’t make sense to people who know your situation.
They know what was said about you.
They know who rejected you.
They know the relationship ended.
They know people questioned your motives.
They know you were criticized simply because you made a decision to honor God.
Yet somehow…
You’ve got peace.
When you speak openly about your decision to abstain, not everyone will understand it.
Some people will question why you’re doing it.
Some may assume you think you’re better than them.
Some may even question whether you’re really abstaining.
And honestly, some of the reactions may surprise you.
You’re not trying to condemn anyone.
You’re not trying to make anyone feel guilty about their choices.
You’re simply trying to obey God with yours.
But sometimes your decision to exercise self-control will make people uncomfortable because it challenges what culture has normalized.
That doesn’t mean you need to argue.
It doesn’t mean you need to prove anything.
And it certainly doesn’t mean you need to compromise just so other people feel more comfortable with your decision.
Philippians 4:6 tells us:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Then comes verse 7:
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Notice what Paul tells us to do with our anxiety.
Take it to God.
The criticism?
Take it to God.
The rejection?
Take it to God.
The questions?
Take them to God.
The frustration of constantly having to explain a decision you made between you and God?
Take that to Him too.
And God gives a peace that surpasses understanding.
That doesn’t mean you won’t be disappointed.
It doesn’t mean rejection won’t hurt.
It doesn’t mean criticism will suddenly become enjoyable.
It means your heart and mind do not have to be controlled by what other people think about your obedience.
His peace can guard you.
So when someone questions your decision to WAIT, you don’t have to become defensive.
When someone mocks your standards, you don’t have to lower them.
When someone walks away because your boundaries no longer work for them, you don’t have to chase them.
Take it to God.
Pray.
Thank Him.
Trust Him.
And let His peace stand guard over your heart and mind.
People may not understand how you can be rejected and still have peace.
They may not understand how you can walk away and still have peace.
They may not understand how you can say no when culture keeps telling you to say yes.
That’s okay.
The peace of God surpasses understanding.
It doesn’t have to make sense to everybody else.
I’ve got peace.
And that peace comes from God.