Run to Jehovah Shalom, God Who is Peace. CRY OUT to the One Who...

Mk 4:39 "rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, Peace, be still and the wind ceased and there was a great calm. (KJV).

The NASB translates is as - "it became perfectly calm". Cannot Jehovah Shalom speak the same words today to our restless hearts and minds, tossed here and there by winds of fear, anxiety, distress, affliction, etc? You already know the answer to this rhetorical question. The answer of course is that  "HE IS ABLE" as the writer of Hebrews so eloquently phrases it...

Hebrews 2:18 (see note)  For since He Himself was  (tested, tried) in that which He has suffered, HE IS (continuously) ABLE (5736) to come to the aid of ("boetheo" = run to one's side upon hearing their CRY for help and to give them assistance! See study Jehovah Ezer: The LORD our Helper) those who are (present tense = continuously being) tempted (see study peirazo)

AND...

Hebrews 7:25 (see note) "Therefore HE IS  (continuously) ABLE also to save forever (KJV = "to the uttermost") those who (continuously, habitually) draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.".

This is your Jehovah Shalom. Know Him as your Peace. Come to Him in Whom alone is perfect peace (shalom, shalom Isa 26:3). Rest from your laborious anxious thoughts, taking shelter in the Prince of Peace, your Lord Jesus Christ.  

In the book of Judges there are 7 cycles which cover 350 years (+/- 50 yr or almost 25% of Israel's history in the OT). Because the sons of Israel did what was right in their own eyes, they did what was evil in the eyes of Jehovah (especially worshiping other so-called gods). Therefore God sold them into bondage and oppression. In their distress they CRIED OUT to God (see notes Judges 3:9; 3:15; 4:5; 6:6; 6:7 but see notes Judges 10:10; 11; 12; 13; 14) Who heard them and delivered them (cf Ps 107:19-20) - see Spurgeon's comments Verse 19; Verse 20) by raising up a judge. When the judge died they quickly chose to forsake the great I AM and to sin again and consequently God sold them again into slavery - round and round the cycle went sinking further deeper into depravity (cf note Judges 2:19). finally coming to the most vile, despicable description of wickedness in all of Scripture in (Judges17-21). When men leave God, the evil they are capable of is unspeakable.

In Judges 6:10 (note) God says Israel was to fear (not a fear causing one to shrink back but a reverence and awe causing one to bow down) no one but God. In Judges 6:11 (note) Gideon was threshing wheat in the winepress -- so clearly he was really hiding from Midianite marauders. Given this context, can you imagine how Gideon felt when the Angel of the LORD appeared (although note Gideon does not recognize Who He really is initially) and called him “valiant warrior” (Judges 6:12 [note] -- "warrior" is gibbor translated "mighty" in "Mighty God" Isa 9:6), which is the same description given to David in (1Sa 16:18). Gideon must have looked around and said “Are you speaking to me?” Isn't there a little (or lot) of Gideon in all of us?

God called Gideon what he would become, not what he was at the time of this encounter. God has a way of coming to "nobodies" and changing them so that they exalt the only "Somebody" worth exalting.  In a similar way, God came to a 99 year old childless man named Abram and declared...

behold, My covenant is with you (Abram) and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram ("Exalted father"), but your name shall be Abraham ("father of many"); for I will make you the father of a multitude of nations. (Genesis 17:5-6) (See significance of Name change in covenant)

Our God is an awesome God...while others (or we ourselves) look at us and see our weaknesses, flaws and failures, God looks at us and sees our potential (in Christ). Don't underestimate what God can or will do in and through your life if you are willing to submit to the Refiner's purifying fire (see discussions on "refining" of believers - "I shall come forth as pure gold" - see note Job 23:10; see notes 1 Peter 1:6; 1:7) and the Master's touch! Remember that God does not save us and use us for what we are but for what by His great mercy and grace we may become. So how was it possible for Gideon to be a “valiant warrior”? The LORD was with him. And if Jehovah is with you (and He is if you have believed and become a new creation in Christ), you too can be a "valiant warrior" for 1 Jn 4:4 says

“greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

Note that before Gideon's eyes are opened to recognize the Angel of the LORD as Jehovah Himself, Gideon calls the Angel of the LORD  Adonai which is a polite term for master, a title of respect. Note that another Name for our Messiah is hidden in Gideon's question -- "if Jehovah is with us" is the Hebrew phrase "yhwh 'immanu", the latter phrase reminding us of course of "Immanuel" (combination of two words in Hebrew "immanu + 'el), "God with us" (Isa 7:14, 8:8, Mt 1:23).

Judges 6:13 (note) Then Gideon said to him, "O my lord (Adonai), if the LORD (Jehovah) is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt ?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian."

There was the LORD in the form of the Angel of Jehovah, in his very midst and yet he is filled with doubts and questions. How we all like Gideon need to have the eyes of our heart enlightened that we might see Him in our midst and His sovereign hand totally in control of every situation in our life (cf notes Ephesians 1:17; 1:18; 1:19, Hebrews 11:27) In Judges 6:22 (note) Gideon has his eyes opened and comes to understand that the Angel of Jehovah with Whom he had been speaking "face to face" is actually Jehovah. This encounter caused Gideon to fear for his life (cf Exodus 33:20 God warned Moses ""You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live !") and immediately the LORD calmed his fears speaking

Peace (shalom) to you, do not fear; you shall not die. (see note Judges 6:23)

The first time we see God as Jehovah Shalom, we see it in the circumstance of a man in great fear, his peace disturbed because of the very real circumstances prevailing in Israel at that time. And then when he realizes he has seen God, he thinks he is going to die. His "theology" is unclear -- "if God is for us, then why are we suffering"? But God opens his eyes and he sees that the LORD is peace, the One Who will make Gideon a valiant warrior. In days to come the LORD Who is peace will allow Gideon to experience very distressing circumstances that can take away a man’s peace and yet Gideon will be able to remember that God is Jehovah Shalom. If you read the rest of the story you will see he does not lay hold of the truth "perfectly" but he does place his confidence in the the Lord's promises and provision and he experiences victory in Jehovah Shalom. We too are like Gideon. Fearful, slow to cast ourselves completely upon His steadfast covenant promises and yet despite our faltering steps we find that when we draw near to Him in truth, He is there, drawing nigh unto us (cp James 4:8), promising that He will never leave us or forsake us (see note Hebrews 13:5). He is from everlasting to everlasting our Peace, our Jehovah Shalom. Run by faith into this Strong Tower (see Simple Inductive Study of Proverbs 18:10 - The Name of the LORD is a Strong Tower) when your peace is disturbed and experience His perfect peace (shalom, shalom).

When most of us think about about peace, we think about "perfect" circumstances and nothing disturbing our "peace". This is an accurate definition of "peace' only as long as the circumstances are conducive to peace. It is the only "peace" the world knows. But real peace doesn’t come from without. Real peace comes from Jehovah Shalom and is an inner work of grace. If you truly know God as Jehovah Shalom, you can still experience His perfect peace in the midst of "troubled waters". Simon and Garfunkel sang a song years ago called “Bridge over troubled waters” and in a sense Jehovah Shalom is a believer’s “bridge” over troubled waters -- those troubling, disturbing, distressing circumstances that are absolutely real and tangible.  And the wonderful truth is that because this peace is not like the world gives but is supernatural, those “troubled waters” can be present (and often are!) and yet you can still experience peace as you recognize and appropriate the truth that Jehovah is your Shalom...Jesus (Jehovah) is your Peace. This recognition and appropriation first involves knowing about it (cf "peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" see note 2 Peter 1:2). This process then involves your mind and your heart. It is possible to experience perfect peace in troubling times, because you are crying out to Jehovah Shalom, running into the Strong Tower of that great name and being set securely on high, even in the midst of the whirlwind surrounding you. That's what we are to do when we are distressed, worried, afraid, anxious, or troubled. Set your mind on the things above, where Jehovah Shalom is seated.

In Isaiah 9:6 the context finds Israel is in dire straits, having turned away from the one true God, experiencing anything but inner peace. Yet despite Israel's spiritual harlotry and apostasy, God through Isaiah speaks a beautiful promise and prophecy of the Messiah Jesus, Jehovah Shalom. Click "He Shall Be Called" for lyrics and tune of a wonderful chorus based on Isaiah 9:6.

Isaiah 9:6 "For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty (same word translated "warrior" in "valiant warrior") God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."

When do we lack peace? Isn’t it when we're experiencing adverse circumstances and we think that we have to fix the problem? We take the whole weight of the troubling circumstances onto our shoulders and we try to bear it alone, in our strength, our self-sufficiency. In Isaiah 9:6, God says to Israel in the midst of her adversity -- your peace is not found in trying to fix your circumstances. Your peace is found in Jehovah Shalom. Not only will the government rest on His shoulders but the burdens and troubles you are experiencing will rest on Him (cf Ps 55:22, Mt 11:28-30, Spurgeon).  They are not to be upon you, but upon Him. And His name is “Wonderful Counselor”.

When you are anxious, worried, distressed, where do you run for counsel? Who do you run to? Who do you cry out to? It is in those times that we must run to Jehovah Shalom, seeking the the mind of God, not the mind of man. Not that we should never go to a counselor. But if that counselor does not lead us to THE “Wonderful Counselor”, Jehovah Shalom, we can never experience His perfect peace for it is only found in Him. This “Counselor” is also unlike human counselors, for He is the "Mighty God”, ('el gibbor) so who and what need you fear? He is “El Elyon” and He rules over all, including all the circumstances -- whether good or bad -- that come into our lives. And nothing can come into our lives that is not first “filtered” though His fingers of love. He is the “Eternal Father" always ready with arms open wide (like Calvary's Cross) to receive you in those times of distress. And His throne is always accessible to you so that no matter what distress or difficulty you are experiencing, you can "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace" to "receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (see note Hebrews 4:16, cf Jer 33:3 see Spurgeon's devotional on Jer 33:3) In any and every circumstance that comes blowing into your life to upset your peace, you can cry out "Abba, Father” (see note Romans 8:15, Gal 4:6) and you can experience genuine peace in His presence even in the face of the storms of life.

As David says in Psalm 29:11

The LORD will bless His people with peace (Spurgeon)

Spurgeon Comments on Psalm 29:11: Power was displayed in the hurricane whose course this Psalm so grandly pictures; and now, in the cool calm after the storm, that power is promised to be the strength of the chosen. He who wings the unerring bolt, will give to His redeemed the wings of eagles; He who shakes the earth with His voice, will terrify the enemies of His saints, and give His children peace.

Why are we weak when we have divine strength to flee to? Why are we troubled when the Lord's own peace is ours? Jesus the mighty God is our Peace (see note Ephesians 2:14) -- what a blessing is this today! What a blessing it will be to us in that day of the Lord which will be in darkness and not light to the ungodly!

Dear reader, is not this a noble Psalm to be sung in stormy weather? Can you sing amid the thunder? Will you be able to sing when the last thunders are let loose, and Jesus judges quick and dead? If you are a believer, the last verse is your heritage, and surely that will set you singing

Jesus is the Prince of Peace, the One Who rules over the kingdom of peace. Isaiah 53:5 reveals another prophecy about the Messiah and shows us how it is only through Jesus our Jehovah Shalom that we might experience perfect peace that passes all understanding.

Isaiah 53:5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being (SHALOM – PEACE) fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.   (NIV “the punishment that brought us peace was upon him”). (Spurgeon's Devotional)

The NKJV translates this verse "The chastisement for our peace was upon Him" and the NIV somewhat interpretatively as "the punishment that brought us peace". 

So clearly Messiah’s chastening or punishment on the Cross of Calvary, flung wide open the gates into the peace of the kingdom of which He is Prince. And only through faith in this finished work, can any human being ever experience perfect peace. There is no real peace apart from the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ. As Jesus taught Nicodemus, one of the most knowledgeable Jewish teachers in Israel “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3), which is the kingdom of peace ruled by the Prince of Peace.

Unless one believes in the Son, not just intellectually (see study of pisteuo = believe) but in such a way that this belief results in an obedient (not perfect) lifestyle (see related discussion of Paul's phrase the obedience of faith) , he shall not see life (and peace) but in fact “the wrath of God (quite the opposite of peace) abides on him.” (John 3:36). But if a man or woman believes in Jesus, the separation (“death” - see note Romans 5:12) between man and Holy God that came into the world because of sin, he can finally experience peace with God because "the punishment that brought us peace" (NIV) has fallen on Him. Now we in turn can experience peace with God (cf note Romans 5:1), because the punishment we deserved has been experienced in full by the Lamb of God, the Prince of Peace, Jehovah Shalom.

Ro 5:10 “For if while we were (5752) enemies (hateful, odious, hostile, opposed to God), we were reconciled (XRef's) to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." (Torrey's Topic "Reconciliation with God")

Reconcile implies a change in relationship from enmity and strife to oneness and harmony. God did not need to be reconciled to man. Man needed to be reconciled to God, so even "while we were enemies" God initiated the events ("chastisement of our well-being [or peace] fell on Him" Isa 53:5) which made reconciliation possible. Why do we need reconciliation? When sin entered the world (Gen 3:7-11) it brought spiritual death and separation of sinful man from holy God. Adam and Eve even tried to hide from God and then Adam tried to blame Eve, indicating by both of these actions that there had been a disruption of the perfect peace with God in the perfect setting of Eden. And ever since that rupture of peace, one of mankind's most coveted but illusive desires has been for "perfect peace" once again made possible in Jesus, our Jehovah Shalom.

Jn 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

Where is peace? IN HIM. He is the Prince of Peace, Jehovah Shalom. Why will you have tribulation? If you are a child of God, you will have tribulation "because you are not of the world" and thus "the world hates you" because they hated Him. (Jn 15:18-19). We must understand that our peace is not in found in peaceful circumstances but IN JEHOVAH SHALOM, because He as our substitute received the chastisement we deserved that we might experience His perfect peace (Isa 53:5)

Now, let us reason together...if we desire His peace, it follows that of primary importance, we must fully and intimately be acquainted with the Source of peace, Jehovah Shalom.  Eliphaz in seeking to give Job counsel "encouraged" Job to...
 

Job 22:21 "Yield ("know intimately") now and be at peace with Him. Thereby good will come to you"

KJV says "acquaint now thyself with him and be at peace".  Strong's dictionary translates this Hebrew "show harmony with, be familiar with, know intimately" and KJV translates it in another verse "cherish", all of which convey the picture of "getting to know Him" more and more. How? By understanding His

"Name...is a Strong Tower and the righteous runs into it and are safe." (Pr 18:10, See - God's Names)

By understanding He is Jehovah Shalom. By understanding His character as reflected in His ATTRIBUTES (chart). If you seek "with all your HEART, and with all your SOUL, and with all your MIND, and with all your STRENGTH" (Mk12:30) to acquaint yourself with Him, to know Him intimately, to "cherish" Him, you will begin to experience His perfect peace regardless of the circumstances.

Continuing to reason together how we are to experience His peace, it follows that to acquaint oneself with Him, one must seek Him in His Word and live in obedience to it.
 

Ps 119:165  Those who love Thy law have great peace and nothing causes them to stumble.

Great peace have they which love thy law. What a charming verse is this! It dwells not with those who perfectly keep the law, for where should such men be found? but with those who love it, whose hearts and hands are made to square with its precepts and demands. These men are ever striving, with all their hearts, to walk in obedience to the law, and though they are often persecuted they have peace, yea, great peace; for they have learned the secret of the reconciling blood, they have felt the power of the comforting Spirit, and they stand before the Father as men accepted. The Lord has given them to feel his peace, which passed all understanding. They have many troubles, and are likely to be persecuted by the proud, but their usual condition is that of deep calm -- a peace too great for this little world to break.

And nothing shall offend them, or, "shall really injure them." "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." It must needs be that offences come, but these lovers of the law are peacemakers, and so they neither give nor take offence. That peace which is founded upon conformity to God's will is a living and lasting one, worth writing of with enthusiasm, as the Psalmist here does. (Spurgeon's comments)

Great peace have they which love thy law. Amidst the storms and tempests of the world, there is a perfect calm in the breasts of those, who not only do the will of God, but "love" to do it. They are at peace with God, by the blood of reconciliation; at peace with themselves, by the answer of a good conscience, and the subjection of those desires which war against the soul; at peace with all men, by the spirit of charity; and the whole creation is so at peace with them that all things work together for their good. No external troubles can rob them of this "great peace," no "offences" or stumbling blocks, which are thrown in their way by persecution, or temptation, by the malice of enemies, or by the apostasy of friends, by anything which they see, hear of, or feel, can detain, or divert them from their course. Heavenly love surmounts every obstacle, and runs with delight the way of God's commandments. --George Horne.

Great peace. Note that for "peace" the Hebrew word is shalom: it signifies not only "peace," but also perfection, wholeness, prosperity, tranquility, healthfulness, safety, the completion and consummation, of every good thing; and so it is frequently taken by the Hebrews; hence in salutations, wishing one the other well, they say, shalom lekha, i.e, "peace be with thee"; as if one should say, "may all things be prosperous with thee." --Thomas Le Blanc.

Great love to a great law.
Great peace under great disquietude.
Great upholding from all stumblingblocks

The psalmist does not say those who love to obtain "knowledge" about God but those who love His Law. They love God's Holy Word. And because they love God's Word, they saturate themselves with His Word and "meditate on it day and night" (Joshua 1:8) (Click study on meditation) and find their "delight is in the law of the LORD" (Ps 1:2,Spurgeon). The Christian who fills his heart and mind with God’s Word will have a “built-in radar” for detecting wrong thoughts. Right thinking is the result of daily meditation on the Word of God.

Isaiah 48:18  "If only you had paid attention to My commandments ! Then your well-being (KJV - "peace") would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

If only you had paid attention to my commandments and done what I said, your peace would have been like a river. Think about how you felt those times you've been next to a peaceful, lazy flowing river. Nothing is more clearly indicated in the Scriptures than that His desires toward all mankind and especially toward His chosen people are desires of good. He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked but only that he turn from his evil way and live (Ezek. 3 3:11 ). To this end the Scriptures are full of the promise and purpose of peace, as show in Leviticus 26:

Lev 26:3,6: 'If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out (i.e., obedience)...God would "grant peace in the land, so that you may lie down with no one making you tremble. I shall also eliminate harmful beasts from the land, and no sword will pass through your land.

Isa 32:17 And the work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever
 

Is you know Him, you will know His word. The two are synonymous. The work of righteousness (that's obedience). Remember righteousness is doing what God says is right.

Warren Wiersbe writes the following note regarding the phrase "The work of righteousness is peace "

Note that when you are living in obedience to God's commandments, no matter what is going on around you, you can have a peace within, because you are walking in a manner worthy of the Lord to please Him in all respects. Have you been around people who had this quality? There was a serenity about them. Where does it come from? From Jehovah Shalom. "You cannot separate outward action and inward attitude. Sin always results in unrest (unless the conscience is seared), and purity ought to result in peace. “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and peace” (Isa. 32:17). “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable” (James 3:17). Right living is a necessary condition for experiencing the peace of God. “The peace of God” is one test of whether or not we are in the will of God. “Let the peace that Christ can give keep on acting as umpire in your hearts” (see note Colossians 3:15, wms). If we are walking with the Lord, then the peace of God and the God of peace exercise their influence over our hearts. Whenever we disobey, we lose that peace and we know we have done something wrong. God’s peace is the “umpire” that calls us “out”!" (Wiersbe Bible Exposition Commentary)
 

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What do you do when the circumstances of your life are out of control and your peace is stolen? Let's look at the condition of Jesus' disciples shortly after His crucifixion. In John 20 we find the disciples hiding and fearful much like Gideon in Judges 6. Their Master is dead and with His death it appears all hope for their fledgling movement has vanished. These were external circumstances are out of their control. Into this fearful situation comes Jehovah Shalom...and what did Jesus say to this fearful band?

John 20:19  So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you.; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you."

When your externals circumstances are out of control and out of your control, you need to remember that God's peace is not found in externals but in the presence of Jesus, your Jehovah Shalom. So when those circumstance come and everything looks like it's falling apart, cry out to Jehovah Shalom asking Him to be with you. And then give thanks for His presence and His promise,

Hebrews 13:5-6 "Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content (PPPMPN) with what you have (PAPNPD); for He Himself has said (3SRAI) , "I WILL NEVER DESERT (1SAAS)  YOU, NOR WILL I EVER  FORSAKE (1SAAS)  YOU," and thus we may "confidently say (PAN)  "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID (1SFPI). WHAT WILL MAN DO (3SFAI ) TO ME?". (Spurgeon's devotionals #1, #2)
 

The Amplified Version emphasizes the presence of 5 "negative's" in this promise --

"He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]".
 

The disciples thought Jesus had left them and they were frightened, but Jesus was there. He had told them He would be resurrected but they had not fully understood and appropriated this truth. He was their Peace in the face of insurmountable odds and an overpowering enemy and He our Source of peace.

Imagination is anything that is not absolute fact. What do you do when the anxiety producing thoughts come?

2 Cor 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

We are destroying speculations -- your husband does not come home. You begin to imagine certain things. Your child doesn't come home on time or doesn't call. You begin to imagine he's been run over. He's kidnapped. He's lost. If you don't bring these thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ it just brings torment. You bring that thought to the Lord and you "Philippians 4:8 (note) it" -- it this thought true, honorable, etc?  If not then do not think upon it. Then you will have peace.

Philippians 4:6 (Click note) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Be anxious for nothing means literally to stop being anxious, stop being  How? in everything by prayer where the specific word for prayer is proseuche which means to look at the CHARACTER OF GOD, at God as He is, His Names, His attributes, His character whereas supplication refers to making specific requests from God. "Proseuche" is the general word for making requests known to the Lord and carries the ideas of adoration, devotion, and worship. Whenever we find our imagination running wild and tearing our mind apart with worry, our first action ought to be to get alone with God and worship and adore Him focusing on His greatness and majesty. It's amazing how problems take on a different perspective. We must realize that El Elyon is in control and can handle our problems one way or another (see Dan 3:17-18). Too often we rush into the Holy of holies and hastily tell Him our needs, when we ought to approach His throne of grace calmly and in deepest reverence.

Warren Wiersbe comments that...

"Paul counsels us to take “everything to God in prayer.” “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything!” is his admonition. We are prone to pray about the “big things” in life and forget to pray about the so-called “little things”—until they grow and become big things! Talking to God about everything that concerns us and Him is the first step toward victory over worry...remember that Paul was chained to a Roman soldier, guarded day and night. In like manner, “the peace of God” stands guard over the two areas that create worry—the heart (wrong feeling) and the mind (wrong thinking). When we give our hearts to Christ in salvation, we experience “peace with God” (see note Romans 5:1); but the “peace of God” takes us a step farther into His blessings. This does not mean the absence of trials on the outside, but it does mean a quiet confidence within, regardless of circumstances, people, or things. Daniel gives us a wonderful illustration of peace through prayer. When the king announced that none of his subjects was to pray to anyone except the king, Daniel went to his room, opened his windows, and prayed as before (Da 6:1-10). Note how Daniel prayed. He “prayed, and gave thanks before his God” (Da 6:10) and he made supplication (Da 6:11). Prayer—supplication—thanksgiving! And the result was perfect peace in the midst of difficulty! Daniel was able to spend the night with the lions in perfect peace, while the king in his palace could not sleep (Da 6:18)." (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor or Logos)

Offering thanks means that you trust Him that whatever the circumstance, He has allowed it and is in complete control. And then the peace independent of tumultuous circumstances will like a guard stationed at the post keep intruders from entering your heart (emotional) and your mind (volitional) in Christ. There you are in a panic, anxiety virtually freezing you and you cry out to Him and He Himself sets a guard over you, "in Christ Jesus", your Jehovah Shalom standing guard often the racing anxious thoughts trying to penetrate your heart and mind.

Isa 26:3 "The steadfast of mind Thou will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in Thee. 4