Notice the two commands in this verse:
1. Don’t be anxious about anything.
2. Pray about everything.
The two commands are followed by a promise. If you do one and two the literal peace of Godwill guard your heart and mind from the thieves that are trying to break into your life! The word guardis used for a sentinel watching at his post, guarding the city gates. It’s like a garrison of troops protecting from a hostile invasion. The peace of God protects you from the onslaught of thoughts and suggestions from the world, the flesh, and the devil that seek to invade your life! It’s like an umpire calling balls and strikes. The umpire calls the game; he makes the decisions. The peace of Godcalls the thieves out and won’t let them come in!
Remember what I wrestled with last week: How can God command emotions that are usually spontaneous? Is fruit not produced naturally?
The answer is similar with PEACE. We still have to walk in the Spirit and be filled with the Spirit. That is always the means of being fruitful and faithful as a Christian. The peace of God is ours as we trust Him with the things that make us worry, fret, stressed out, fear, angry, frustrated and the like! You can’t turn peace on like a light switch. You can’t just plaster a fake smile on your face and ‘be happy.’ But you can and must ask God to fill you with His Spirit! You can turn off the anxious thoughts by replacing them with God’s Word and His peace will come in!
"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
"Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22 (NKJV)
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)