Resting in Shalom: The Deeper Meaning of Psalm 4:8

Scripture Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Shalom: The Power of Peace in Our Hearts and Lives When you think of the word "shalom," what comes to mind? Often, it's associated with peace, but there's so much more depth to this Hebrew word. Shalom, in its truest sense, encompasses wholeness, completeness, safety, and prosperity. It is a state of being where everything is in harmony — not just with the world around you, but within you. In Hebrew, there’s a phrase commonly used to ask someone how they’re doing: "ma shlomcha?" This literally translates to “What is your peace?” or “What is your well-being?” It’s a beautiful way to inquire about someone’s overall health, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Interestingly, the feminine form of this phrase is “shlomech.” The word "shalom" here carries its possessive form — "your peace." It’s more than just asking if someone is feeling okay in a moment, it’s asking about their wholeness and completeness. Who Rules the Control Board of Your Heart? Imagine your heart is like a control board, similar to the one in the movie Inside Out, where each emotion has a seat at the table. Who is sitting at the control board of your heart right now? Is it peace? Or is it something else like bitterness, offense, or brokenness? The idea behind "shlomech" is powerful: we have the authority to decide who governs our hearts. In the same way that we control who sits at that emotional control board, we also have the responsibility to ensure that peace, or eirene (the Greek equivalent of shalom), is the one making the decisions. Eirene doesn’t just mean a lack of conflict; it signifies wholeness, safety, and completeness. It’s the feeling that everything is complete in your world, that nothing is broken, missing, or damaged. And when peace is in charge, we make decisions based on that sense of well-being. We become fairer, kinder, and more balanced in our thoughts and actions. Don’t Let Bitterness Be the Ruler of Your Heart One of the most dangerous things we can allow to control our hearts is bitterness. Bitterness often acts as a silent ruler, making decisions based on past hurts and grudges. Imagine being hurt by someone, and instead of choosing healing, you choose to let that hurt define your future actions. Bitterness, pride, and offense can lead you to make decisions that you later regret. It’s easy to let these negative emotions take the seat of authority. But we’re encouraged, even commanded, to choose peace. The word “let” in this context is important — it’s a decision. You don’t have to let bitterness or anger rule you. Instead, you can choose peace, even when you’re hurt. You have the ability to choose what governs our hearts. Choosing Peace in the Midst of Conflict I once watched a short comedy sketch where two friends debated whether or not to give a big contract to an old classmate. One friend was completely against it, citing a past incident from school when this classmate wouldn’t let him cheat on an exam, leading him to fail. The whole argument stemmed from a petty, unresolved issue from years ago. The problem? Bitterness was ruling his heart, making decisions in the moment. If peace were in control, the judgment would have been different. Peace would have focused on the present: Does this person have the skills and ability to handle the contract? Not on a past unfounded offense. Unfortunately, this happens more often than we’d like to admit. We allow past wounds, unhealed offenses, or selfishness to control the decisions we make. It’s time to impeach those negative emotions and let peace rule our hearts. Selfishness vs. Peace Selfishness can also be a decision-maker in our hearts. It whispers to us that we need to protect our own interests, win the argument, and prioritize ourselves above all else. While that might feel good in the short term, it can harm relationships and leave you with a hollow sense of victory. Peace, however, is a more thoughtful and strategic ruler. It helps you see the bigger picture, considering the long-term effects of your actions. Peace will tell you to apologize even when you’re right because it understands that relationships are more valuable than winning a fleeting argument. Peace makes decisions with longevity in mind, considering the lasting impact on your relationships and your future. A Call to Let Peace Rule So, here’s the challenge: Let peace be the one at the control board of your heart. It’s not always easy, especially when emotions like hurt, offense, or selfishness are clamoring for attention. But by choosing peace, you’re choosing wholeness, safety, and prosperity in your life. You’re ensuring that your decisions are rooted in love, wisdom, and understanding. It’s time to let go of bitterness, pride, and selfishness. Don’t let them rule your heart any longer. Let peace reign. Shalom — may peace, wholeness, and completeness be the ruling force in your heart today and always.

Love Suffers Long Scripture " Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up." 1 Corinthians 13:4 Greek Word Study: Makrothymeo (mak-roth-oo-meh-o) Definition: Withholding anger, choosing not to retaliate when wronged, and exercising the same slow-to-anger attitude God demonstrates toward us. Breakdown: - Derived from: makros (long) and thumos (temper, passion) meaning: slow to anger. - The ability to endure in the face of provocation. - Practicing self-restraint rather than hastily retaliating. - Choosing forgiveness instead of judgment. - Waiting sufficient time before expressing anger. Application: - Think of a time when you wanted to retaliate but chose patience instead. How did it impact the situation? - What steps can you take to cultivate long-suffering in your relationships? - How does God's patience with you inspire you to be patient with others? Prayer: Abba, help me to be patient. Teach me to withhold anger and extend grace, just as You do. Strengthen my heart to endure with love. Amen.

Self- Love or Self-Seeking Love Scripture "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." Romans 12:10 (ESV) Self-love is not selfish, but self-seeking love is often mistaken for true love. Genuine love does not pursue its own interests or make itself the focus of its desire. That is the way of the world—where everything revolves around self. But love is about service; it is about the beloved. Love seeks the well-being of the one it cherishes. Many enter relationships with a self-centered mindset: “I love him because he makes me happy.” This kind of love is rooted in self-interest. Yet, Jesus loves His bride, and He gave Himself up for her—not because she brought Him joy, but to make her whole. He sacrificed Himself to present her without blemish. Our love for Jesus is not what initiated His love for us; rather, we love Him because He first loved us, even when we did not choose Him. Love is relational, not transactional. Loving yourself does not mean you never compromise or make sacrifices. True self-love does not constantly ask, “What’s in it for me?” in every situation. Prioritizing the well-being of others does not mean you lack self-love—it simply means love is not self-centered. Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, Please, forgive me for every time my actions did not reflect love according to your standards; forgive me for every selfish action. Forgive me for the time I chose myself over your Kingdom. Help me to love like you do. Help me to relate to others the way you relate to me. Help me to live a life worthy of you. Reflection Prayer What can you do today to show the love of God to another person who would not expect it? What will you do to act selflessly today?

I Love, Therefore I Give "True love is about the other person—the beloved—not the lover." \ Scripture 1 Corinthians 13: 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. True love is about the other person—the beloved—not the lover. We live in a society that equates love with the emotions we experience when we are with someone when they speak to us, or how they treat us. The Hebrew word for love is ahavah . One of its root words, hav , means "to give." Love is an action. So, when you say you love someone, it goes beyond their height, complexion, facial features, voice, smile, or any outward trait. The true measure of love is how much you are willing to give to that person. When Jesus was speaking to the Jews, He said, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." For God so ahavah that He hav . The magnitude of the gift reflects the magnitude of the love. God did not give Jesus because He felt “butterflies” in His stomach when He looked at humanity. On the contrary, He gave Jesus to us while we were still sinners—when we were His enemies. No wonder the Jews approach marriage differently than we do because they understand that love is not based on feelings or emotions but on the lover’s willingness to give to the beloved. When you love, you give—your time, attention, resources, and even your body (when you get married). In the Western world, love is often defined as the emotional high someone feels based on how another person makes them feel. However, true love is about how much you can give to the person you love. So, the next time you say you love this man, ask yourself: *"How much am I willing to give to him—time, resources, patience, effort, and submission (if I marry him)?"* Prayer Dear Heavenly Loving Father, I thank you for your love. I thank you for giving us Jesus who is the model of what love truly means. Thank you for loving me before I even knew you. Father, purge me of every perception, concept, mentality, and belief about love that is not from you. Help me to adopt your definition of love. Teach me to love as you love me. In Jesus name! Amen Reflection What are some beliefs you have/had about love that are not in alignment with God’s definition of love? How will the word of God shape how you approach love?

Scripture 1 John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. Love is one of the most misused words. We use "love" to describe our acquired taste for coffee, our inclination toward a certain genre of music, or our preference for a dish. Over time, love has been diluted and often used interchangeably with "like." But to avoid misusing or abusing something, you must first understand its intended purpose. The best way to know the correct use and intent of something is to go to its source. The source of love is God. In fact, God is love. One thing that always captivates my attention whenever I read, hear, or say those three words is this: Love is not an adjective. The grammatically correct form might have been “God is loving.” But it’s no coincidence that the Bible states, “God is love.” This ties in perfectly with Apostle Paul's words: “The fruit (singular, not plural) of the Spirit is love…” (Galatians 5:22). The verse above also teaches us that if someone does not love, then they do not know God. The inverse is equally true: If someone does not know God, then they cannot truly love. Love, as described in the Bible, is a fruit produced by the Spirit of God. True love—the God-kind of love, Agape —which Jesus commands us to practice, means selfless, sacrificial benevolence and esteem for others. Our natural tendency is to be selfish, to prioritize what seems best for ourselves, and to avoid making sacrifices. However, the love that flows from God calls us to a higher standard. Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for loving me sacrificially, and selflessly, even when I didn’t know you. You chose to send your son to die in my place even when you knew I would rebel against you. Thank you that your love keeps pursuing me, even when I know better and don’t do better. Help me to accept your love and to love you with everything I have. In Jesus name! Amen. Reflection What does love mean to you? What beliefs you have/had about love that's not in alignment with God's definition of love? What actions can you do today to embrace God's definition of love?

You Were Made for This You were made for what you’re going through. Sometimes, it takes walking through the fire to discover just how strong you really are. It’s in those moments—the ones that feel like they might break us—that we truly see what we’re made of. Here’s the truth: God is never caught off guard. Nothing that happens to us takes Him by surprise. He knows every trial we’ll face, and He equips us long before we ever encounter them. Trials are like strength training; with each one, we build spiritual resilience and gain a deeper understanding of His faithfulness. All Things Work Together for Good If you’ve read my first book, Single, Saved, and Content , you know one of the most devastating moments of my life. I discovered that the man I loved, the one I thought I’d build a future with, was already married. That betrayal left me shattered, questioning everything. Yet, it became the foundation for something far greater than I could have imagined. Fast forward seven years, and I faced another heart-wrenching loss—my fiancé went to be with the Lord. It was a blow I didn’t see coming, a grief so deep it felt like it might swallow me whole. But here’s the remarkable thing: the lessons God taught me through that earlier heartbreak had already prepared me for this moment. During that first storm, I began to grasp the full meaning of Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” At the time, it didn’t feel like anything good could come from my pain. Yet, God proved me wrong. That heartbreak birthed a book, a retreat, and countless testimonies of lives transformed. So, when my fiancé passed, I grieved deeply. The pain was real, and the loss was profound. But alongside my sorrow, there was a beacon of hope. I thought, If God could bring so much good out of heartbreak, what could He bring out of this season of loss? That question gave me strength and joy in the midst of the chaos. It reminded me that even in my pain, there was purpose. You Can't Lose Grief didn’t crush me because I knew I couldn’t lose with God on my side. Even in my lowest moments, God’s promises held me steady. I found comfort, hope, and an indescribable resilience in knowing that my story wasn’t over. The enemy may have meant it for evil, but I trusted that God would transform it for His glory. What I’ve come to see is this: my scars are my credentials. Yesterday’s bears and the lions qualified me to face today’s Goliath. They are proof of God’s ability to heal and redeem. Those scars qualify me to reach people I never could have reached otherwise. As someone called to minister to single women, my experiences have expanded my capacity to connect with those walking through heartbreak and loss. Whether you’ve lost a boyfriend, fiancé, husband, or loved one, my journey taught me compassion and hope that I can share with you. God wastes nothing. Every tear, every heartbreak, every loss—it all serves a purpose in His hands. Out of this season of grief, I know He will give me beauty for ashes. Maybe it’s another book, or simply a deeper ability to serve others. Whatever it is, I trust that it will be good because He works everything for our good. There is purpose in your pain too! So, I endure with anticipation, knowing that the glory is coming. If you’re walking through your own valley of the Shadow of Death right now, I want you to know this: you were made for this. God has equipped you with the strength you didn’t know you had. He is with you in your pain, and He will use it to bless others in ways you can’t yet imagine. Hold on, sis. Let your scars tell the story of God’s faithfulness, and let your healing become a light for others. The glory is coming.

If you are going through grief right now, I want you to know this: you are not alone. Pain is inevitable. As long as we live on this earth, life will break our hearts. But here’s the truth I’ve come to embrace—when you know who you are and whose you are, you are anchored, no matter how close to the edge life takes you. I am living proof of this. If you’re in a painful season and can’t see how you’ll ever make it to the other side, let me remind you: all hope is not lost. Earlier this year, my world was turned upside down on what seemed like a typical January day. I started the day like any other, unaware that it would mark a turning point. That afternoon, I spoke to my fiancé. Hours later, I received a call that shattered my heart. Three words—“ He is gone. ” I was in shock. My first reaction was to pray and cry out to God. I begged Him to bring my fiancé back. I wondered: What will I do if He doesn’t? How will I survive this? How can I face the people in my life who don’t know God when I’ve always lifted Him up and honored Him in my relationship ? But in the depths of my devastation, something stirred within me. A decision. A declaration that changed everything. I said, “God, even if You don’t raise him, I will still praise You. You are my master and everything I have is yours. That relationship is yours, he is your son. So, if you allow this, I will still praise you.” I decided that even if God would let me go through the fire, like the three Hebrew boys, I would not bow. I would not stop worshiping or serving in the church. Sometimes, you will pray and God will spare you, other times, he will allow life to turn up the heat seven times and throw you in. Your response needs to be “God can deliver me, but if He doesn’t, I will still praise Him.” that’s a whole different level of faith and loyalty to God. Anyone can praise on the mountaintop, but very few can worship in the Valley of the Shadow of Death. This is important because God's lordship and kingship are not contingent on our circumstances. After talking to God, I still had one more declaration to make. I turned to the enemy and boldly declared, “If you think this will make me step back, you’ve got the wrong person. I will praise even harder.” And I started praising God right there in my living room while playing Walk by Faith by Victoria Orenze. I was on a mission to confuse and frustrate the enemy. I clung to my faith like never before—it became my unshakable anchor. When life feels like a storm and you’re battling its fiercest trials, hold tightly to God’s promises. In His Word, you’ll find hope that shines like a beacon, even on the gloomiest of days. Even in the darkest nights, you will see flickers of reassurance to guide you through. If God had chosen to bring my fiancé back, I would’ve had a resurrection testimony to share. But instead, God was writing a different story. In my brokenness, He revealed a deeper purpose. He didn’t take away my pain, but He sustained me through it. He gave me peace in chaos, joy in pain, and strength in weakness. He reminded me that even in my grief, I could encourage others. This journey reminded me of Mary and Martha, who knew Jesus as a healer. But Jesus decided not to answer their request to come and heal him so that He could reveal a new dimension of His power. He showed them that He wasn’t just a healer—He was the resurrection and the life. In the same way, God used my pain to reveal His sustaining grace. If you’re walking through a valley of grief, let this be your reminder: you don’t have to navigate it alone. God is with you, even in the darkest moments. Your pain is not the end of your story. Joy does come in the morning. It can become the platform for your greatest testimony. So hold on. Lift your eyes. And know that even when life feels unbearable, there is purpose in your pain. You are seen. You are loved. And you are never alone. If this message resonated with you, feel free to share it with someone who might need encouragement today. Together, we can remind one another that hope is always within reach.

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and none of us can escape the inevitable trials that come our way. These moments—whether big or small, brief or drawn out—are often some of the most challenging we face. But they’re also powerful catalysts for growth, resilience, and self-discovery. While trials test our character, patience, and determination, how we go through them ultimately shapes the person we become. It’s tempting to wish for a life without challenges. Yet, if we look back at our lives, we often find that it’s during the toughest times that we learned the most about ourselves. Our resilience, our inner strength, and even our values are honed through moments of difficulty. But what if we began to view challenges less as roadblocks and more as opportunities for growth? This shift in perspective can be transformative, not only in how we experience life but in how we come out on the other side. The Role of Mindset in Facing Challenges Our mindset plays a pivotal role in how we navigate life’s trials. With a positive, adaptive mindset, we can view obstacles not as insurmountable barriers but as chances to learn and grow. This doesn’t mean we ignore the pain or discomfort that challenges bring; rather, it’s about choosing to face them with resilience and a willingness to adapt. It’s about asking ourselves, “What can I learn from this experience? How can I grow from it?” Consider how an adaptive mindset builds patience and determination. It allows us to keep going, even when the path is unclear or the outcome uncertain. With patience, we can handle setbacks without losing hope. With determination, we can tackle problems, one step at a time, until we reach a solution. Through this, we become more resilient, better equipped to handle future challenges. Hardships teach us lessons that can’t be learned any other way. When we’re tested, we gain insights about ourselves—our strengths, our limits, and our capacity to overcome. We learn the importance of flexibility and humility, realizing that it’s okay to ask for help, change course, or even start over. In facing adversity, we discover who we are at our core and what we’re truly capable of achieving. Inner strength, like any other strength, is built through practice and endurance. The more we face and overcome trials, the stronger and more confident we become. It’s similar to physical exercise: just as lifting weights builds muscle, enduring challenges builds inner fortitude. Each trial makes us a little braver, a little wiser, and a little more resilient. Defining Our Journey through Our Response Our response to trials is what ultimately defines our journey. When we approach challenges with grace, courage, and an open mind, we create a path filled with growth and self-discovery. We learn to appreciate the ups and downs, understanding that both are essential parts of the journey. It’s not about avoiding trials but embracing them as part of our story. Imagine looking back on your life and seeing each challenge as a chapter of growth. You’ll see not just what happened to you, but how you responded and grew. Each trial, each moment of perseverance, and each lesson learned will be woven into the fabric of your journey. Finding Purpose in the Pain When we face life’s challenges, it can be comforting to know that there is purpose in the pain. While we may not understand it in the moment, every trial offers something valuable. It prepares us for future obstacles and gives us the wisdom to help others facing similar challenges. Over time, we may even find gratitude for these moments, recognizing the resilience and strength they brought into our lives. At the end of the day, trials are unavoidable, but they don’t have to define us in a negative way. By facing them with a positive, adaptive mindset, we can transform challenges into stepping stones for growth. Life’s trials test us, but they also build us, shaping our character and revealing the depth of our inner strength. So, let’s approach life’s obstacles not with fear but with an open heart, knowing that every challenge is an opportunity to become our best selves. Embrace the journey. Embrace the growth. And remember, it’s not the trials themselves but our approach to them that defines our success.