Now we can overcome the world and its moods by using the stabilizing, strengthening tool of prayer several times a day. Please turn to Philippians 4 and we are going to read verses 6 and 7.
So that is a guarantee we have. It is very important to show our thanksgiving in our prayers, to thank God for what He has given us, with the blessings He has provided. God promises He will guard us and give us peace of mind, but we must ask in faith, believing God's promise. We ask in what we think is faith, but we do not believe - truly believe - in God's promises, then our faith is useless.
He knows no one can grow out of depression with unforgiven guilt hanging over his head. Paul encourages us in Philippians 3:13 to forget our past guilt for the sins and mistakes that we have previously made and repented of, and to reach for our future spiritual goals and godly character.
The Bible contains many encouraging and inspiring examples of the faith of people who faced virtually insurmountable odds and yet overcame with God's help. Still they had to ask in prayer, in faithful prayer. The Bible reveals God's greatness and the vastness of His master plan which He has lovingly designed for the entire universe. It shows His mercy, His compassion, and lovingkindness for His creation. It shows that God promises to provide all our needs and does not want us discouraged.
Let us turn over to Romans 15, verse 4. The more we read His written Word, the more we adopt the mind of God. It is God speaking to us. And this is why daily Bible study is essential. We need to make the Bible the foundation of our behavior and the basis for sound, uplifting thoughts that dispel discouragement.
He is saying here that when we go back to God in prayer because of things that are happening in our world, in our families, in our relationships with others, that one of the things that comes back to us is the peace of God. And it is interesting here. It is beyond understanding. It surpasses all understanding. How can a God millions or billions of miles away at the time of our prayers send peace? How does that work? What is the mechanism for that? I do not understand.
Well, it is obviously through His Spirit. But He can give us at that moment, in that instant, peace, an inner satisfaction, an inner contentment, a confidence. Paul admits, I do not understand it. I do not understand it fully. But it happens. And you know what? That peace guards our minds and our hearts. It guards us from slipping away, from doing wrong. It is not going to reach out and say no and stop you from doing something, but it will certainly undergird and strengthen you to do what you need to do. But we still do not understand it. Just enjoy it. Just make use of it.
