Surpassing Understanding
Feb 25, 2026 | By Aalia Holt SY ’27
Most evangelistic movements and apologetics focus on how to be certain in our paths — how to know that our faith is true. Yet, I am not convinced we even know ourselves. In high school, I painted a picture of a window. Each window pane represented a quadrant of self-perception or lack thereof, illustrating a psychology model called The Johari Window. One quadrant is the area of self that is not externally observable nor internally disclosed. Here I wrote, “Only God knows.” Humankind walks around in ignorance of the internal. Psychologists may call it the unconscious, statistical analysts could call it the unpredictable. There will always be questions unanswered, and it seems to me that the only certainty in life comes from trust in our God.
One of my favorite verses of all time is Proverbs 3:5-6, which I memorized in grade school: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight.
In higher education circles, intellect and reason are seen as the primary approaches to understanding. Yet, in glorifying our ability to reason and reach some perceived understanding, we may diminish the important role of faith in our lives and fall prey to hubris.
A Roman centurion approaches Jesus. He is searching for a cure for his servant who lies at home, paralyzed and suffering. Jesus offers his healing and care in response, “Shall I come and heal him?” Yet… the Roman centurion, remaining a supplicant, refuses. “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Jesus stands amazed and proclaims to his followers, “I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith” (Matthew 8:5-13, NIV).
Pause—Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega, the very Word of God existing before creation, was amazed by this man’s great faith. If Jesus stops to acknowledge this, it is certainly worth taking note. In Corinthians, Christians are told to embody faith, hope, and love. These are the virtues we utilize to battle the uncertainties of life, the chief among them being our mortality, which the Lenten season brings into focus. It is these virtues that make possible the peace that surpasses all understanding. A peace that faces death without despair. But notice, this peace surpasses understanding, for it is born of faith, not reason.