Beneath the Surface

It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind of our everyday lives and feel overwhelmed by the never-ending stream of problems we must solve. Life consists of a series of issues and our efforts to solve them. Whether we find these challenges motivating or overwhelming depends on how manageable we feel. But for some of us, problem-solving is energizing and uplifting, while it can be tiring and exhausting for others.

When our problems are manageable, they can inspire and motivate us. They can give our lives meaning and purpose, and we feel a sense of accomplishment when we overcome them. But when the problems we face are beyond our ability to handle, we can become overwhelmed and exhausted, feeling like life is too difficult. That can lead us to hopelessness and despair, making it challenging to find the motivation to keep going.

The problem is that we need to control the issues we face. It’s like the waves on the surface of the ocean. Some are moderate and good for surfing, while others are as devastating as a tsunami. Still, others are so subtle that they seem almost meditative. And we can never know what types of waves we will face. We might have calm waters one day and a raging storm the next. It can be frustrating and disheartening not to have control over the difficulties that arise in our lives.

So what should we do?

One important realization is that our lives are not just the waves on the ocean’s surface. While it may seem that life consists of these ups and downs, we must deal with one after the other. That doesn’t mean that these waves control our lives and destinies. We must take a step back, mindfully observe, and meditate on the ocean. Beneath the ocean’s surface is a deep and silent world. The waves’ ups and downs seem superficial and illusory in this world. That can be hard to perceive amid a difficult situation, but keeping this perspective in mind is essential.

But, of course, the depth of the ocean is not where we live and breathe, and there is still tremendous biodiversity and life on the surface. And it is essential to understand that the fact that we live on the surface doesn’t mean that we should ignore the problems we face. We should still acknowledge and address them as best we can, but we can see our challenges from a different perspective by recognizing the silence beneath the waves. We can find peace and meaning amid our struggles and connect with God’s will and grace. And by doing so, we can experience a higher sense of joy and realization, which is one of the most critical factors for a fulfilling life and faith.

It is essential to acknowledge and address our problems, but we should also take our time to reflect on the bigger picture and find meaning amid our struggles. Life can often feel overwhelming, but we should remember that our lives are not just the waves on the ocean’s surface. We must step back, observe, and meditate on the “sea.” By realizing the silence beneath the waves, we can glimpse our challenges from a different perspective and find peace and joy in the will and grace of God. This realization can give us the strength and motivation to keep going, even when the waves are high.

How can we step back?

Dive the beneath the surface. We can do it through prayer, meditation, and contemplation. Reflection on the Bible verses can be another way of diving beneath. For example, Lectio Divina can be one of the best practices for such “stepping back” to sink below the surface. as a traditional prayer and Bible study method involving reading, meditation, and contemplation.

It is typically practiced by reading a passage of scripture slowly and prayerfully, pondering its meaning, and allowing it to inspire contemplation and spiritual reflection. The goal is to deepen one’s relationship with God and gain a deeper understanding of the scripture. The four traditional steps of Lectio Divina are Lectio (reading), Meditatio (meditation), Oratio (prayer), and Contemplatio (contemplation).

That can help us better manage our difficulties and find true purpose and fulfillment.

Ultimately, the ups and downs of life are a natural part of the human experience. We will always face challenges and difficulties, but we can find peace and meaning amid our struggles by realizing that our lives are not just the waves on the ocean’s surface. We can connect with the will and grace of God and experience a higher sense of joy and realization, which can give us the strength and motivation we need to keep going, even when the waves are high.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

What God offers is different from the temporary peace that the world offers, and it can help us not to let our hearts be troubled and not to be afraid.

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