A friend of mine was recently going through a very difficult trial. I wanted to write him a note of spiritual encouragement, and the phrase “This too shall pass” kept coming to my mind. So I got to thinking, “Where did that phrase come from?” (or for you English fanatics “From whence came that phrase?”) A quick internet search gave me nothing definitive. You might think it’s in the Bible, but you would be wrong. (If you’re curious, the earliest attribution of the phrase comes from a 13th century Persian poet.)
As my musing on this phrase continued, I thought “If it’s not in the Bible, is it at least biblical?” The last thing I want to do is give my friend some fluffy, fleeting, and ultimately false worldly comfort. So down the rabbit hole I went, and here are some thoughts I came up with.
Most of the time when people use this phrase, it is meant to comfort someone who is going through a difficult time, like my friend. James 1:2-4 have similar, but deeper encouraging words. We can have joy in trials if we recognize that God has a purpose in it, and His objective will always benefit us. (See also Romans 8:28.) God is helping us to grow and mature. To that purpose, we can do more than just survive the trial, we can persevere. This, too, shall pass.
Sometimes, though, we need to be reminded in good times that this, too, shall pass. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us of this. There are times in this cursed life where we will suffer and times when we will have joy. Just as we oughtn’t lose focus of the Savior in our trials, we oughtn’t turn our gaze nor put our trust in “good times.”
Enjoy the victories, successes, and all around good times. Praise God for them, but hold them loosely. This, too, shall pass.
James 4:14 – “What is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” Not the most immediately comforting use of the phrase “This, too, shall pass.” But important to grasp nonetheless. For the Christian, however, this can be very comforting. The apostle Paul said in Romans 8:18 that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” He also said in Philippians “to depart, and to be with Christ… is far better.” There is no trial the Christian can’t bear if he has this perspective. None. It doesn’t exist. Even if the trial lasts your whole life, your whole life is just a vapour. This, too, shall pass.
“For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth forever.” One of my favorite Classical works (well, technically it’s Romantic, but close enough) is Johannes Brahms’ German Requiem. (You should give it a listen sometime. Be sure to turn on the English subtitles.) The second movement is based on this text from 1 Peter. This follows the theme of James 4:14, but with an emphatic juxtaposition. Our life will pass, and soon, but God’s Word “is forever settled in Heaven.” Indeed, we have an anchor that can never be moved. Praise God!
This, unlike anything in this life, shall not pass.
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