Reliable Truth that will Give the Shalom Peace You Need
Too often, we think of peace as a tranquil feeling that flits in for a moment but quickly disappears. It’s not the lasting, meaningful peace you want or need!
I am not a thrill-seeking adventurer. I crave real peace in my relationships, my surroundings, and in my heart and mind.
But even as you and I say we want peace, I wonder if we really know what it is or what we need to do to experience it consistently.
The simple definition of peace is… the absence of conflict.
But honestly, that definition doesn’t really satisfy me. It feels like something is missing. So, I decided to do a deeper dive into the concept of peace.
I want to know what it means to have the peace of God when life is easy and when it’s not.
So, let’s start by looking at other dictionary definitions…
Peace is:
- A state of quiet stillness.
- Freedom from unsettling or oppressive thoughts and emotions.
- Understanding and cooperation in our personal relations.
- Freedom from war and violence between nations and people groups.
Based on those definitions, a plethora of things are trying to rob us of the peace we so desperately desire.
We live with:
- Conflict in our communities.
- Fear and anxiety in our minds.
- Disagreement and tension in our relationships.
- War between nations.
- Regret and consternation over past failures.
Considering all this, it is not surprising it’s hard to enjoy real peace for more than a moment here and there. Psychologists say they’ve seen a “dramatic spike” in the number of people who suffer from anxiety disorders.
But what can we do about it? Are we doomed to live discouraged and anxious? Is there any way we can replace conflict, worry, and fear with lasting peace and contentment?
Guess what? We can! If we truly want to enjoy lasting peace, we need the presence of…
The God of Peace – Jehovah-Shalom
The Hebrew word shalom means peace, but it is so much more than that.
Shalom means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord... to be complete, perfect, and full. ~ Strong’s Concordance
I love that! It is the “shalom” peace of God that makes us complete!
Sin ended the complete, perfect, and full peace God designed. But graciously, He was not willing to leave us that way. He sent Jesus to restore our peace with Him, with each other, and within ourselves.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
Without Jesus, shalom peace is impossible.
Truths that will Give
the Shalom Peace You Need
Jesus is the Prince of Peace you need.
Jesus, the Messiah, fulfilled God’s plan to provide peace to a broken world.
I get overwhelmed when I contemplate Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection… all He endured to give people peace with God.
Through Him, our sinful pasts can be completely forgiven.
But He was pierced for our rebellion,
Isaiah 53:5
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
The Spirit is Jesus’ peace with and within us.
Jesus promised the Father would send the Holy Spirit to remind us of all God has done for us. He reminds us that God keeps His promises. Always has, and always will.
But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
John 14:26–27
I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
God’s Word and Prayer encourage peace within us.
Spending time in God’s Word and prayer turns our focus from the things trying to steal our peace, replacing them with God’s promises of perfect peace.
You will keep in perfect peace
Isaiah 26:3–4
all who trust in You,
all whose thoughts are fixed on You!
Trust in the Lord always,
for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer to Have the Shalom Peace You Need
Father, we want to live with shalom peace every day, but so many things get in the way. Negative news reports, long lists of responsibilities, relationship challenges, health concerns, financial needs…
It feels like our peace-robbers are everywhere.
Please forgive us for focusing on our problems, for failing to surrender them to You in prayer. Your Word says You give Your people peace. (Psalm 29:11) It tells us Jesus gives us peace of heart and mind. (John 14:27)
Thank you for graciously sending Jesus to save us and restore peace to our broken hearts. Thank you for the Spirit, who fills us with Your peace-giving truth. Thank you for Your Word that teaches us the truth about who You are and all You want for us. Thank you for inviting us to bring everything to You in prayer.
I praise You for every blessing and lay before You every heartache and concern. I surrender all to You. Please replace it all with Your shalom peace. Amen.
God Himself is the Only True Source
of Shalom Peace You and I Need
He invites us to surrender every peace-robbing thought so He can fill us with His presence, and surround us with His truth, grace, mercy, and love.
God has given us His Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.
1 John 4:13, 15-16
All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.
And finally…
I had an interesting thought the other day.
If someone observed my life for a week, would they see shalom peace?
Or would they find…
- My calendar too full?
- My relationships healthy and encouraging?
- Order or cluttered chaos?
- Evidence of God’s indescribable peace?
Is my life set up for peace, or are there things I need to change? How can I be more intentional about making myself available to the ways God wants to give me His perfect, lasting peace?
May the Lord bless you and give you the shalom peace you need.
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Love this, Deb. Shalom Peace. Yes! I have found I only have it when I keep my focus on Jesus and lose it when my focus wanders to the world. May you be blessed with His perfect peace.
Me too, Cecilia. When I turn my focus to the world, there are just too many stressors to possibly live with shalom peace. Praise God for Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace we need now and forever. God’s blessings now and always!
I love the definition of Shalom you included here from Strong’s Concordance, Deb. YES! The peace God gives us is so much more than we could ever imagine on our own. That’s the kind of peace I’m praying for today. Blessings!
I do too, Martha! It takes letting the Lord have all of me if I want to have the complete peace He wants for us. That’s my prayer. To surrender all and trust Him to give us everything we need. God bless you, dear friend!
Deb,
How I would love to have Shalom peace. It seems that I am guilty of all of the “peace robbers!” My moments of peace are short lived. Thank you for all of the things you stated and for the beautiful prayer.
I pray peace for you that will keep you today, through the week and always!!
You’re not alone, Sue. There are so many things out there trying to distract us and steal our peace. I’m trying to lift it to the Lord in prayer quickly and trust Him to give me the peace I want and need. Thanks for being you. Blessings and hugs!