So much is lost in translation when we convert Hebrew and Greek into English.
I’m particularly obsessed with this Bible verse as of late:
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you. ~Isaiah 26:3
Perfect peace. Man, anyone else want some of that?
The word used there is shalom.
And in Hebrew, shalom means so much more than peace.
It also means wholeness, completeness, perfection, safety, wellness.
In this crazy, busy, broken world, it’s so easy to feel half alive, incomplete, imperfect, unsafe, unwell.
So I’m praying for shalom from the only source able to extend it.
Yahweh Shalom – the Lord is Peace.
Let’s Talk: On a scale from 1-10, one being none and ten being shalom, where are you on the peace scale these days?
On the Shalom Meter 😉 in spite of EVERYTHING going on in my life right now – the good, the bad, and the nebulous – I’d put myself at an 8. I know God’s got my back…the 2 points that keep me from a ten are this old, frustrating habit of mine that says “you should be in full on panic mode right now”….but I’m not. Because that’s what grace does. 🙂
Amen – that’s exactly what grace does. Thanks for sharing Elizabeth!
That’s beautiful, Katie! 🙂
Peace scale on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the most peaceful? I’d say I’m a solid 8.
A solid 8 is great! Hey, that rhymes.
Yes, it rhymes! 🙂 Someone once told me in 3rd person, “She’s a poet and doesn’t know it!” lol
Or rather YOU’RE a poet, Katie lol sorry I read your reply to my post way too fast and thought I’d wrote something that rhymed…
God has been working with me for many decades. I can honestly say the majority of the time I’m at a 10 through His grace and mercy. My hubby and I have faced what many would consider unbearable things for the last decade, short of death, much like Job in the Bible, not quite that drastic but close. Often the words of the Apostle Paul come to mind, to be content in all circumstances. We really are. We may not like what we’re facing, but we don’t wallow in it and rarely let it get us down. I have a strict 24 hour rule. No pity party lasts over 24 hours, usually just 6 to 8 and then I move on with God’s grace and His unfailing strength. Wonderful post today, Katie. As always thank you for sharing. Looking forward to your new release. Blessings, Susan Fryman susanngarrylee@yahoo.com
I love this comment and I love the time frame you give yourself on pity parties. So awesome that God is giving you peace in the midst of not-so-peaceful circumstances.
This is making me smile because I’ve had that verse written on the markerboard on my fridge for over a year. On Monday night when I got home from Phoenix, I had a moment of panic as I thought about all I need to get done this week…saw that verse…really read it for the first time in months…and felt better immediately. 🙂 Love it!
Lately, I’m in the 6-8 range.
It seriously is like a peace injection, isn’t it??
It depends on the time of day.
God gives me enough peaceful times that I long for more. Then the world breaks through and tries to rob me of His peace.
Thanks for this post today.
I totally understand how that goes with the world! It’s all too easy for me to go from a 8,9,10 on the peace meter, to a 2,3,4 all b/c my focus shifts to this crazy world.
Perfect. I NEED that one today- and every day.
We’ll go with a 3 for the scale thing.
Bless you, Katie!
So glad this spoke to you today, Ganise! Hold on to John 14:27!