Shalom

By Ryan Brousson 

In our lives there can be many things to be worried, anxious, and stressed about. The world seems to be in a constant state of flux. We are overloaded with information from all directions, and who knows what is true or false. Life is not always peaceful, and when it is, it is hard to hold on to.

But God says, “…I know the plans that I have for you, … plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11, NASB). The Hebrew word translated as “welfare” here is shalom, meaning peace in all areas: relationships, work, health, etc.

It goes beyond a general or superficial feeling of peace that is external to us. It is peace in body, mind, and spirit. The peace that God wants to give us goes to the depths of our very being. The great thing is, this peace does not come from us. If it did, we would never be able to produce it. God desires to give us this peace freely. He says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matt. 7:7-8, NASB). We just need to ask for this shalom, and it WILL be given to us. We do not need to work for it, or convince God to give it. He gives it freely to all who ask. Shalom to you!