Are you a worrier? A recent study by Cornell University stated that 85% of what we worry about, or stress over, never materializes. Of course, the appropriate concern is healthy. It keeps us moving in the right direction, guides us away from unnecessary risk, and helps dictate future steps. Yet, worry can also be excessive and rob us of our best selves. Someone once said, “Worry is like a rocking chair, it is a lot of motion, but it doesn’t get us anywhere.” In fact, excessive worry is a motion that often takes us away from addressing the issues that are causing the worry in the first place!
St. Paul in his letter to the church of Philippi addresses the subject of worry. Paul is writing this letter to people who are struggling with worry and anxiety, living in fear of religious persecution. He says to them: ”6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
In the above text, Paul provides a nuanced view of what biblical peace looks like. Paul tells us peace might look different than we imagine. For instance, when I think of peace, I think of the absence of my problems. Peace for me is a problem-free world, with no worries, or stresses, one in which all areas of my life are good. However, Paul does not share this insight.
Firstly, Paul describes true peace as belonging to God. In other words, peace is God’s gift to me. It’s not peace that we have generated or earned because of our right behavior. God’s peace is a great gift in the hardest moments of life.
Secondly, this peace that Paul talks about is not actually based on the problem going away. This is kind of weird, right? Life is always better when the problems go away. Paul indicates that the true miracle is God’s peace finding us amid the problem. Problems come and go, right? We will never live in a problem-free world. We all face something and will continue to in the days ahead. Even if my problems go away, what is going to keep additional problems or challenges from coming? Paul knows that the greatest miracle is not the absence of problems, but God’s peace in life’s hardest moments.
Horatio Spafford, a successful businessman and lawyer in Chicago, experienced many tragedies in his life. In 1873, Spafford’s wife, Anna, and their four daughters were traveling to England when the ship collided with another ship and sank. All four of Spafford’s daughters died, but Anna survived. While traveling to England to meet his grieving wife, Spafford was inspired to write this hymn as his ship passed the spot where his daughters died. When peace like a river, attendeth my way When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well, with my soul
May God’s great gift of peace find us in life’s hardest moments. Amen.