The Peace That Stands Guard (Philippians 4:6-9)

Introduction

This morning I want to talk to you about the three ways we often try to find peace. There are three common approaches when we feel anxiety and worry. And I imagine some of you today are feeling anxious.

It may be a medical issue. For some of you, I know it’s a financial issue. The economy we’re in is a tough one. For others, it’s family stress. My own family right now is going through a lot of changes, and it could easily fill me with anxiety. I have to confess, late last night I found myself waking up through the night, remembering people I love in prayer.

Lots of things in life can fill us with anxiety. The question is: where can we find peace? Not just fleeting peace, not just temporary relief, but true and lasting peace.

Option 1: Looking In – The Way of the Stoics

A while back I started reading some Stoic philosophy. I know: that sounds like a thrilling way to spend a Friday night. But someone gave me a book called The Daily Stoic. I’ll be candid: I’m a Christian, so I don’t agree with everything in it. Still, I found parts of it surprisingly helpful. Overall, it's a good read.

That’s part of what it means to be well-read: you don’t only read people you always agree with. You read broadly and test what you find.

The Stoics—men like Marcus Aurelius (yes, the emperor who shows up in Gladiator), Epictetus, and Seneca—taught a philosophy of looking inward. This is the first way many people try to find peace: self-sufficiency.

Their mindset was simple: a lot of life is outside your control, so don’t waste energy worrying about it. If you can’t change it, let it go. Easier said than done, but that was their school of thought.

To be sure, much of Stoicism is not compatible with Christianity. But, as one of my seminary professors liked to say, “Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes.” And the Stoics did stumble onto a few nuts of wisdom. Some of their sayings even sound a little like Jesus. Remember when He said, “Do not worry about your life… Each day has enough trouble of its own… Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” That sounds Stoic, at least on the surface.

But here’s the key difference: Jesus says more than the Stoics ever could. Their solution, while sometimes insightful, is incomplete. Because at the end of the day, Stoicism rests on self-sufficiency. Christianity points us to something far better: God-sufficiency.

Option 2: Looking Out – The Way of Circumstance

The second way we often try to deal with anxiety isn’t by looking in but by looking out, trying to control our circumstances and the people around us.

How many times have we thought, “If I can just get through this week, then I’ll finally have some peace”—only to discover that the next week brings an even longer to-do list? Or we tell ourselves, “If I can just fix this relationship, then everything will settle down.” We imagine that if we can just get our lives neatly ordered, then our anxiety will vanish.

I read Marie Kondo’s bestseller The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. She’s famous for the phrase, “Does this spark joy?” You hold up each item, thank it, and decide whether to keep it. And I’ll admit that my dresser drawer has never been neater. But here’s the truth: folding shirts more efficiently hasn’t cured my stress. Tidiness is nice. It can help reduce some stress, but it can’t deliver lasting peace.

That’s the problem with looking out at circumstances. They can be tidied, tweaked, or managed for a time, but sooner or later the mess creeps back. Peace built on control of circumstances won’t hold.

Option 3: Looking Up – The Way of Christ

That brings us to a third option, the one Paul offers in Philippians 4: looking up.

In four of the most beautiful verses in the New Testament, Paul doesn’t offer self-sufficiency (Stoicism), and he doesn’t offer circumstantial control (fixing the world and everyone in it). Instead, he offers something infinitely better, though harder for us to grasp: the peace of Christ.

Philippians 4:6–9
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Perspective That Calms the Heart (vv. 6–7)

Paul begins with a startling command: “Do not be anxious about anything.”

The Greek word translated “anxious” (merimnaō) literally means “to be pulled apart in different directions.” That’s exactly how anxiety feels, isn’t it? You’ve got more to do than you can manage, and half of the things on the list contradict the other half. You can’t pull it all together, and the result is restlessness—even panic. You lie awake at night, remembering something you forgot, and suddenly your heart is racing and your mind is spinning.

But notice this: Paul’s words are not a harsh rebuke. He’s not scolding us for weakness or telling us to just “snap out of it.” He’s giving a pastoral redirection. He’s saying: don’t let anxiety set the terms for your inner life. Anxiety will come knocking, but you don’t have to let it move in and take over.

So what do we do instead? Paul says we replace anxiety with prayer.

• Prayer — that general posture of dependence before God. Not ritual or formula, but a steady orientation of the heart. It’s the confession, lived out in real time, that we are not alone.
• Supplication — the specific petitions, naming our needs before God without disguise. Not polished speeches, but the raw cries of the heart: “God, help me with this. God, I don’t know what to do. God, I just failed again.” The Psalms are filled with these kinds of prayers.
• Thanksgiving — remembering God’s past mercies even as we ask for new ones. Thanksgiving reframes our perspective, pulling us back from despair by reminding us of His track record of faithfulness. If He has carried us this far, He will not abandon us now.

And Paul adds: “in everything.” There’s no request too big and no concern too small. Parents and grandparents, you know this. If your child calls from the next room or the next state, no matter how small the concern seems to you—if it matters to them, it matters to you. How much more with our heavenly Father? Nothing that weighs us down is beneath His attention.

And here’s the result: “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The peace Paul describes is not the shallow calm of denial or distraction. It is the deep well-being that flows from reconciliation with God (Romans 5:1). It “surpasses understanding,” not because it’s irrational, but because it cannot be explained by natural means. It doesn’t make sense to have peace when circumstances are still hard. And yet, this is exactly what God gives.

Paul says this peace will “guard” you. The word (phrouresei) is a military term for a garrison of soldiers protecting a city. God’s peace is like a sentinel posted at the gates of your heart and mind, pushing back fear and despair. And it is experienced “in Christ Jesus.” Outside of Him, peace is always fragile and temporary. In Him, peace is durable and guarded because He Himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).

So Paul is showing us the perspective that calms the heart: not a new breathing technique, not better scheduling, not folding your shirts more neatly (helpful as that might be)—but a God-centered way of seeing life, where anxiety is met with prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving, and where God’s own peace stands guard in Christ.

Priorities That Shape the Mind (v. 8)

After addressing the heart’s anxieties with prayer, Paul turns to the battlefield of the mind:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise—think about these things.”

Anxiety often takes root in the mind’s soil. Thoughts race. Fears multiply. We rehearse worst-case scenarios until they begin to feel inevitable. Paul knows that what we dwell on shapes who we become. So he issues a call not just to resist anxious thoughts, but to retrain the mind.

Next Paul turns from the heart to the mind. He writes:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Anxiety fills our minds with racing thoughts, worst-case scenarios, and fears on repeat. Paul knows that what you dwell on shapes who you become. So he calls us not just to resist anxious thoughts but to retrain the mind.

He lists six qualities to guide us:

• True — not rumor, not speculation, not distortion, not social media influencing but reality as God defines it.
• Honorable — thoughts worthy of respect, not cheap or degrading.
• Just — aligned with God’s righteous standard, full of integrity and fairness.
• Pure — morally clean, noble.
• Lovely — reflecting God’s beauty, drawing our hearts toward what is good.
• Commendable — admirable, worth speaking well of.

And then he adds the sweeping summary: “If there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise—think about these things.” It’s as though Paul throws the doors wide open: if it reflects God’s character, let it fill your mind.

The verb he uses—logizesthe—means “dwell on, meditate on.” Not a passing glance, but sustained reflection. It’s the same picture as Psalm 1, where the blessed person “meditates on the law of the Lord day and night.”

Here’s the reality: your thought-life is not neutral. It’s a battleground. What you feed your mind will grow. And our world is eager to do the feeding for you. You are amid the greatest propaganda war in human history. Social media, the news cycle, even entertainment—all of it is designed to monetize distraction and outrage. Algorithms are built to keep your attention by stirring fear, envy, or anger.

Against that backdrop, Paul’s call is an act of resistance. To think on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable is not escapism; it’s discipleship. It is training your mind to delight in what reflects the goodness of God in a world that constantly pulls you toward everything else.

Practice That Brings God’s Presence (v. 9)

Finally, Paul turns from thought to action. He writes:

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Here Paul piles up four verbs—learned, received, heard, seen. Each describes how the Philippians had been shaped by his ministry:

• Learned — the language of discipleship, like a pupil with a teacher. The Philippians had been instructed in the truths of the gospel.
• Received — not Paul’s invention but the apostolic tradition handed down. They had accepted the gospel as God’s authoritative Word.
• Heard — they had listened as Paul preached and taught, applying God’s Word in their presence.
• Seen — perhaps most striking of all, they had witnessed Paul’s life. His teaching wasn’t abstract; it was embodied before them.

In other words, Paul’s ministry was holistic: truth proclaimed, embraced, and lived out. Now he calls them to practice these things.

The verb prassete (“practice”) is in the present imperative. It means to keep on doing, to make this a way of life. Christian maturity is not passive; it is active. It is not enough to merely think differently (v. 8); we must also live differently. James 1:22 says it plainly: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.”

And then comes the promise. In verse 7 Paul had spoken of the peace of God—His gift to guard our hearts and minds. But here, in verse 9, he deepens it: “the God of peace will be with you.” Not just His gift, but His presence. Not only peace from Him, but communion with Him. This echoes the covenant promise that runs through Scripture: “I will be with you”(Joshua 1:9; Matthew 28:20).

That’s the heart of Christian peace. It isn’t simply the absence of worry, or even the presence of calm; it’s the presence of God Himself. To live in obedience, to put into practice what we have learned and received and heard and seen, is to experience the nearness of the God who is peace.

And here’s the encouragement: many of you who have walked with Christ for years can become that example for others. Just as the Philippians could look at Paul, younger believers should be able to look at you. Our world is noisy, anxious, and chaotic; what it desperately needs are men and women whose lives quietly radiate the peace of Christ.

Conclusion: An Encouragement to Look Up

Remember the Stoic—calm, composed, admirable, but lifeless. That’s what happens when we only look in: we may master ourselves for a time, but we can’t give ourselves life.

Remember the fixer—always trying to control circumstances and people, rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Peace lasts only until the next wave hits.

Paul points us higher: look up. Set your perspective on God through prayer. Order your priorities by His truth. Put His Word into practice. And when you do, the peace of God will guard you, and the God of peace Himself will be with you.

Let's pray.

Reflection & Discussion

Use these questions for personal reflection, journaling, or group conversation.

Where do you feel most “pulled apart” by anxiety?
Paul uses a word for anxiety that means “to be pulled in different directions” (4:6). What are the pressures tugging at you right now? How might prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving reorient your heart toward God’s care? (Matthew 6:25–34; 1 Peter 5:6–7)

What does your prayer life reveal about your trust in God?
Paul urges us to bring everything to God in prayer (4:6). Do you tend to only bring the “big” requests, or do you sometimes hesitate because concerns feel too small? How can you grow in childlike honesty before your Father? (Psalm 62:8; James 4:2–3)

How does gratitude reshape your perspective?
Thanksgiving is central to Paul’s prescription for peace (4:6). Where have you seen God’s faithfulness in the past? How could remembering His track record strengthen your trust in Him now? (Psalm 103:1–5; Colossians 3:15–17)

What fills your mental diet?
Paul says to dwell on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable (4:8). What kinds of voices, stories, and images fill your mind most days? How might you shift your focus toward what reflects God’s character? (Romans 12:2; Psalm 1:1–3)

Who has modeled a life of peace for you?
Paul tells the Philippians to practice what they have learned, received, heard, and seen in him (4:9). Who has embodied this kind of peace in your life? What practices have you observed in them that you could imitate? (1 Corinthians 11:1; Hebrews 13:7)

How does the difference between “the peace of God” and “the God of peace” encourage you?
Paul promises both the peace of God (4:7) and the God of peace (4:9). Which do you find harder to believe right now—that God can give you peace, or that God Himself will be with you? How might leaning into both promises change how you face this week? (Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27)

Related Scriptures for Further Study

• Matthew 6:25–34 – Jesus’ teaching on worry: “Seek first the kingdom of God.”
• 1 Peter 5:6–7 – Cast all your anxieties on Him, for He cares for you.
• Psalm 62:8 – Trust in Him at all times; pour out your heart before Him.
• James 4:2–3 – You do not have because you do not ask; ask with right motives.
• Psalm 103:1–5 – Forget not all His benefits; remember His faithfulness.
• Colossians 3:15–17 – Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts; give thanks.
• Romans 12:2 – Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
• Psalm 1:1–3 – The blessed person delights in God’s law day and night.
• 1 Corinthians 11:1 – Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
• Hebrews 13:7 – Remember your leaders and imitate their faith.
• Isaiah 26:3 – You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you.
• John 14:27 – Jesus gives His peace, not as the world gives.

These sermon summaries are solely intended for the personal devotional use of church members and friends. They are not transcripts or academic works and should not be reproduced or distributed without permission.

Originally prepared by Kevin Labby during his vocational service at First Evangelical Free Church of McKeesport. Used with permission. Copyright remains with the church. Please do not reproduce or distribute without written consent from both the church and the author.