Verse 7 shows what happens when we obey the Lord by straightening up relationships, getting rid of critical spirits, focusing on the Lord's love rather than on the things we want or expect. We put away worry and entrust God with our cares. We find God's presence. He has always been there of course, but He is there with His peace. As long as we refuse to deal with these issues, though, we will not experience His peace. Listen to these precious words from Philippians 4:7.
God's peace throws the temptations coming our way off to the side like water off the back off a duck. The word 'guard' is a military term picturing God’s peace as a detachment of soldiers standing guard over a city so as to protect it from attack. The heart and mind refer to the entire inner being of the Christian: his emotions, affection, thoughts and moral choice.
Phase 1 has us work on relationships and attitudes. Verse 7 is like a subtotal for this section: Peace of God shall guard your hearts. We see that the peace of God is so protective that we wonder why we are not worrying like everyone else. God's peace surpasses all imagination; it exceeds all that human wisdom can plan. Isn't this what you want? I am sure it is.
Phase 1 seems so comprehensive, but something else is missing.
