Understanding is overrated

Have you ever felt frustrated because you don’t understand why things are happening in life? What do you think the solution is?

Perhaps we feel getting that understanding would allay our frustration. It's reasonable why we may think this. In difficult life circumstances we tend to ask the question, “Why? Why is this happening? Why me?" We want to understand the purposes behind our trials, thinking that knowing them will bring us peace.

But we'd be wrong, or at least potentially wrong. Even if God gave us understanding, there is no guarantee it would bring us the peace we truly seek.

The solution to "not understanding" is not "finally understanding." The solution to this frustration is peace, and the peace we seek does not require us to first understand.

God offers a peace that descends upon us in spite of our not understanding, a peace that opens us up to trust God and have joy even when we can't fathom why things are the way they are.

Perhaps you already know this. In fact, perhaps you're familiar with Philippians 4:4-7 and have prayed for "the peace that surpasses (i.e. is better than) understanding."

However, when we pray and ask for this peace that surpasses understanding, we may be incorrectly applying Paul’s famous words from his letter to the Philippians. Let's unpack them:

"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

~ Philippians 4:4-7

First, Paul says, “Rejoice.” The fact that this is a simple command means we can choose to rejoice or not rejoice.  We don’t need peace or understanding in order to rejoice. The choice is ours alone. We could let our outward circumstances dictate our heart, but the encouragement here is to let our inner self dictate our outer actions.

The call to rejoice is a call to a joy that is not some kind of shallow or fleeting happiness. Rather, it is a call to find a deep contentment in the Lord that outward circumstances cannot break.

Second, Paul writes about being considerate (i.e. having a disposition that seeks what is best for everyone and not just oneself). In other words, put others ahead of ourselves.

Third, because the Lord is coming soon (some translations say, "at hand"), we are encouraged to not worry about anything. Again, the fact that it is a simple command means we can choose it (however, we must keep in mind that this worry is different from anxiety disorder, which is created by a chemical imbalance in our brain and is not a choice). 

Instead of choosing to worry, we are to choose to make our cares known to God by prayer and with thanksgiving. The thanksgiving is crucial, as gratitude can be an antidote to worry, which often arise from wondering whether God can take care of us or not. Gratitude reminds that he can and will continue to do so.

After saying these three things, only then does Paul write the peace of God which surpasses understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. It's probably also important to note they are guarded in Christ. If we choose to face our problems without him, we are left unguarded. 

So let’s review:

When we choose to not let our circumstances dictate our heart’s attitude, but instead choose to be content in the Lord, put others and their needs ahead of our own, and discard worry for thanksgiving and telling God what we need, then, even though we may not understand why things are the way they are, the peace of God will descend upon us and guard our hearts and minds in Jesus, protecting our thoughts and attitudes so they can remain Christ-centred and full of trust.

This is the peace we seek.

So you can see the problem with simply praying for peace. It’s fine to ask for peace, especially the peace that surpasses understanding and guards and protects us, but we have to make some choices too. 

We have to choose contentment over complaining, selflessness over selfishness, thanksgiving and trust over worry, and THEN that peace will come like a gentle (or powerful) wave, washing us in the love, care, and protection of God.

PAUSE and REFLECT: What are you facing today? Is frustration or worry rising? The good news is we can be proactive, making positive choices that will help us. The better news making those choices opens us up to the deep and healing work of God, and we can discover a peace and contentment beyond logic.

This peace is only found in Jesus, because only Jesus has overcome everything about which we could possibly be anxious or afraid. Indeed, accordion to John 16:33, Jesus has overcome the very world, and he tells his followers this good news so that “in me you may have peace.”

Where might God want to give you peace today? How is he asking you to partner with him in receiving this peace?