When I was a kid, all the sermons ended the same. I don’t know when or how this tradition started, but the pastors in my denomination would always end by saying/mumbling, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). And I would yawn. Or I would smile and reach for my jacket, because I knew that church was almost done (I was a sinful kid).

Now that I’m older, I have new thoughts about those words. I believe they are caps-lock, shout-out-loud worthy. God’s peace is guarding my heart and my mind today. Yours too! God promises to be with you at your new job, to love you despite your family drama, to forgive you for your sexual sins, to help you with an aging relative, and to strengthen you to suffer well. His words are like burly guards that are ready to bounce any fearful thought or outright lie from your head. God loves you so much that he has ordered his peace to guard your heart and your mind.

Recently, I ended a sermon by having our whole church stand up, spread their arms out wide, and shout these beautiful words. Maybe you could do the same right now. Ready? “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” What a thought!