Lent series: Suffering, part 6, peace!

SUFFERING (a weekly Lenten reflection - final part 6, Peace that passes understanding)

Horatio Spafford knew something about life’s unexpected challenges. He was a successful lawyer and property investor who lost a fortune in the great Chicago fire of 1871. Around the same time, his beloved four-year-old son died of scarlet fever.
Thinking a holiday would do his family some good, he sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to England, planning to join them after he had finished some pressing business at home.

However, while crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship was involved in a terrible collision and sunk. More than two hundred people lost their lives, including all four of Horatio Spafford’s precious daughters. His wife, Anna, survived the tragedy. Upon arriving in England, she sent a telegram to her husband that read: “Saved alone. What shall I do?”
Horatio immediately set sail for England. At one point during his voyage, the captain of the ship, aware of the tragedy that had struck the Spafford family, summoned Horatio to tell him that they were now passing over the spot where the shipwreck had occurred.
As Horatio thought about his daughters, words of comfort and hope filled his heart and mind. He wrote them down, and they have since become a well-beloved hymn:
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll—
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well with my soul.

We don't know what lies ahead for any of us. Sea billows will probably roll - tragedy might strike. Let’s not bury our heads in the sand and pretend otherwise.

As Jesus prepared to depart this world, He knew that difficult days lay ahead for His disciples. He wanted them to be ready for probably the most challenging times they would ever face. Jesus explained how they could endure the troubles of this life,
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)

I think PEACE is the vital component for us to possess as followers of Jesus, if we are to navigate our suffering in a God honouring way - if we can find peace in Him, even as we face the unthinkable, then surely that is in itself a mark of maturity and an example of faith in a God who promises that nothing will separate us from His love. (Romans 8:38-9)

Peace, you see, is not simply the absence of war and conflict - that is how the word is used out there in the world. Peace for us, is the abiding presence of Jesus, THE PRINCE OF PEACE (Isaiah 9:6). We receive peace as we choose to trust Him with everything that concerns us. And I mean really trust Him, but to be able to do so, we have to let go of wanting to be in control.

This is so hard to do in a world that shouts loud and clear, from cradle to grave, that we must stand alone, cultivate independence, forge our own paths, sort ourselves out, and provide for our futures.

However, being in control is, of course, an illusion. We really don’t know anything, and certainly cannot determine the outcome of the challenges we face. But God…He does know and what’s more, He knows us, and sees us and our stuff. He is 100% committed to you and I. Not to our comfort necessarily, but to our characters, to becoming like His Son.

You see, the Bible tells us that we were created to be dependent on our Heavenly Father, as children. He expects to provide for us and to protect us, to shoulder our burdens. We were never supposed to be stressed and anxious and overwhelmed.
Isaiah 26:3 again reminds us:
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

There is a direct correlation, then, between keeping our focus on God and remaining in a place of peace, at rest, in other words, in God’s ability to meet all our needs. And the result of this peace promised by God, is that even in the middle of chaos and confusion, His beloved sons and daughters need not be fearful or anxious, because they trust Him.
So.. back to ships and storms again - a young boy was traveling on a ship during a massive, terrifying storm. While others are stressing and panicking, he remained totally calm. When asked why, he smiled and said "I ain't afraid, my daddy's the Captain, an’ he’s always in control”.

Our peace comes from knowing who is piloting the ship through even the most tumultuous of waters. Not just knowing about Him but having an intimate personal relationship with Him.
The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:5-7

I end this blog series with a prayer for us all, particularly for those of us who are facing difficulties:

Loving Father
I pray that you would guide me through the inevitable valleys and rough waters of life, that I may learn to release every dream, but the dream of knowing you.

I dare to ask that in those dark nights when I feel lonely and confused, when I long to experience a fullness and a joy that I can't provide for myself, that you would deepen my desire for you and reveal your desire for me.

May I abandon my tortured soul to your sometimes seemingly unresponsive care, knowing the truth that you care and love me very much more than I will ever comprehend.

Please shield me from every useless trial, protect me from pointless pain, but allow any desolation that will release my heart to meet yours, any bareness that will empower me to rest ever more in your deep love.

Help me, daily, as I pursue the Prince of Peace, and thank you that you are faithful to your promises, that you will never let me go, that I am your BELOVED.

AMEN.