In the midst of our hard times, we have YHWH's grace, strength, and comfort... we have His peace. I read something several years ago that YaHWeH used to really impact my "way of thinking". It was in a "Homeschool" book written by Robin Sampson. She explained the differences between the way the Hebrews thought (and lived), and the way the Greeks thought (and lived)--in total opposition to one another. I want to share with you one of her examples:
" A quick example of the differences between Greek and Hebrew thought is the word peace. In Greek thought peace is a lack of confusion or commotion, or lack of war. In Hebrew thought, shaloam or peace is wholeness or completeness. Notice that in the Greek way of thinking, peace is what remains when there is an absence of something, but in the Hebrew, peace is the presence of something. When a person is fully submitted to God he is at peace." -The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach by Robin Sampson pg.120
I realized my thinking on most Everything was GREEK!! It is our culture, it is our lifestyle... and without even realizing it, it forms our mindset---and it's in total opposition of our Elohiym/GOD. Peace is not the absence of anything... it is the Prensence of 'something' / of someONE... the presence of YHWH! THAT is worth keeping our attention and focus on! THAT is worth counting on! Shalom Peace...
As I was recently sharing with a friend, I heard someone teach about 13-15 years ago on Psalm 37. In verses 1, 7-8 David said "fret not thyself" three times. The lady gave a picture of a nice beautiful calm lake... how on a bright sunny day, you can see a very clear reflection of the sky, clouds, trees, and everything that is surrounding the lake. But when you take a rock and "skip" it across the water, you "fret" the water... and the picture then becomes distorted. It is no longer a clear view or reflection of what is surrounding the lake. The same with us, when WE begin to FRET ourselves... our vision becomes distorted and we cannot clearly see the truth. We need not "fret ourselves" when trouble comes... we need only to focus on the truth... and Keep Going :)
May you find great comfort, joy, and strength as you live in Peace!