Recently, I tried to barrel through a barrel-chested Hawaiian and a former black ops soldier. John and Tim, two solid guys from my church, agreed to help me teach Philippians 4:7. John probably weighs 225 and looks like he could lift me above his head with one hand. And Tim makes John look small! So when all 175 pounds of me took a running start and tried to get past these two men … let’s say things didn’t go well. I slammed into a wall of muscle that wasn’t about to move.

What truth was I trying to visualize? “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). God’s peace guards our hearts and our minds. God’s peace is bigger than we can even understand, and it guards our vulnerable hearts.

When the enemy’s lies try to barrel through, they don’t stand a chance. Do you think you’re too sinful to be loved? too broken to be saved? too unworthy to be heard when you pray? God’s peace bounces those thoughts out of your heart. Do you feel like you aren’t going to make it, that you won’t be able to resist it? God’s peace refuses to let those lies live within you. The devil might seem too strong, but he is a skinny devil that doesn’t stand a chance against the peace of God. Take a deep breath. You’re going to make it today. The peace of God will guard your heart and mind.