Peaceful waters when storms rage (or some other Christian cliche)

I have always been troubled by the notion of “peace that passeth all understanding.”  To me, it has seemed fake or forced, completely devoid of emotion.  It is like punching someone in the face and telling them they are not allowed to cry.  It is something expected of Christians and to feel otherwise is unChrist-like.  However, Habakkuk, “the complaining prophet,” has given me a different understanding of that eternal peace.  The first 2 chapters consist of Habakkuk filing his complaints with God, and God calmly explaining his plan and why Habakkuk can trust him.  The prophet starts off like so many us, overwhelmed by the heartache of his present calamity. He is bitter towards God for not swooping in and immediately saving the day.  God tells him of his plan and Habakkuk responds by doubting its validity.  He is so caught up in his own logic that he forgets who he is talking to.  Sound familiar?  Something strange happens by the end of chapter 3, though.  Habakkuk poignantly states that regardless of what horrors come, he will rejoice in the God of his salvation (Hab 3.17-19).  What changed?

First, Habakkuk was willing to openly express his emotional angst to God. Second, he waited for God to respond and actually listened to what he said.  Third, he remembered the goodness of God displayed throughout history.  Application for us?  1. Bring your complaints before God.  He is God of the universe; he can take it.  2. Listen for God’s response.  This requires taking time out of the chaos of life to simply listen. Also, humility is needed to accept whatever answer he gives as truth. 3. Think about the ways God has shown himself to you in the past.  His character doesn’t change so his goodness will continue to be accomplished in your life, even if it doesn’t fit your timetable. 4. Hold onto whatever revelations you are given and wait, trusting in God’s consistency, for “the righteous live by faith” (Hab 2.4).

It seems that deeper, incomprehensible peace is not something that comes easy.  Rather, it comes through an open processing of our emotions and a willingness to tell God that everything is not okay.  It is born out of a profound awareness of who God is. It is a quality of the humble, who have lived with adversity, fought anger and doubt, and realized that God is bigger still.