A Fresh Lens to Biblical Peace for Mental Health Challenges
Peace is from the Hebrew word Shalom which reveals a wholeness of you
Peace has no indictment of you, but a new state of (whole) being
Peace is what you have, not a special willpower of your own making — like the Apostle Paul, it is learned and practiced (learning to use what you have - union in Christ).
Let’s understand peace and what it means for everyday life — especially mental health challenges.
Shalom, Shalom.
As many of you know, Biblical peace comes from the Jewish word Shalom, which comes from the root word שלם (shaleim or Shalem) with the meaning of completeness, fullness, wholeness, aligned in harmony, perfect, and not lacking ... as the Hebrew concept denotes, "Without peace, there is no completion."(1)
God’s peace (Shalom) is active in your daily battles, situationally and internally.
"He redeems my soul in peace from the battle waged against me ...” - Psalm 55:18 (Berean Standard Bible)
Biblically, “redeeming” in the Old Testament it is always about “rescuing” from the trials, including internally (which points to Jesus).
"The concept of peace here is not merely the absence of conflict but a holistic sense of well-being and restoration. This peace is reminiscent of the Hebrew word "shalom," which encompasses completeness and harmony. Theologically, this redemption foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6. The peace that God provides is not just external but internal, affecting the soul, which aligns with the New Testament teaching in Philippians 4:7 about the peace of God guarding hearts and minds.” (Berean Bible Study)
Thus, God’s “peace” is a secure wholeness — peace for all your soul's battles within and without.
Distress makes us feel distant peace, but God’s Shalom/Peace realigns relational strength (in/with Christ).
When mental and emotional challenges arise it’s normal to see ourselves through a personal and spiritual negative bias (weak faith, sin-consequence, etc.). Unfortunately, that’s how some ministers try to help (that’s okay, there’s room to learn).
This might be new to you, but God’s conviction doesn’t take away His peace, even if we make mistakes. Peace is your birthright, your new DNA in Christ. God’s conviction reminds you that His peace is always in covenantal and relational harmony with you… without suspicion (secured and sourced by Him). That reminder helps realign and reframe back to our true peace.
We can see this secure peace without suspicion expressed in Colossians 1:22 …
“By the body of his (Jesus) flesh and in his death, to establish you before him as Holy Ones without blemish and without an indictment …” (Aramaic Bible Plain English, italicized mine).
“He (Jesus) accomplished this in dying our death in human body; he fully represented us in order to fully present us again in blameless innocence, face-to-face with God; with no sense of guilt, suspicion, regret, or accusation; all charges against us are officially canceled.” (The Mirror Bible, italicized mine).
This is why the Scripture says, “Jesus Himself is our peace” (Eph. 2:14). Jesus cancels all indictment and removes every sense of distance from God (John 14:19-20).
No matter the mental health distress and negativity it projects, you are always in this new state of Shalom, peace. This Shalom or peace is your new state of being, whole-person in Christ that can never be taken away from you or lost … if it can, then, in my opinion, the doctrine of Jesus’ death and resurrection has some serious flaws. To reframe the Jewish thought above, “Without Jesus (peace), there can be no completion (wholeness of true being).” This is our new constant.
What does this mean in mental health? It’s what you have, not what you don’t.
Shalom (peace) is a complete union with Jesus, a state of being even in distress—think "Holy Spirit."
When Jesus and later the Apostle Paul talk about peace (shalom), they're talking about the context of the Holy Spirit freely given, to be in access with Jesus through distress and uncertainty. It's not a command to willpower peace on our own.
Let's examine the Scriptures for evidence —notice the connection between peace, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Before the cross Jesus said, John 14:16, 18, 26-27 ...
"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever ... I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ... But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Then, after telling them they will be scattered (scared and on the run for their lives) Jesus said, John 16:33,
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have many tribulations, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
After the cross, Jesus said ... John 20:19
"... when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!'" (v. 21-22, he reaffirms peace by breathing on them - giving them the Holy Spirit).
In response to fear and anxiety, praying from our position in Christ, the Apostle Paul shows how peace works ... Philippians 4:7
"... And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Note that the prayer in Phil. 4:6 is NOT a formula for obtaining peace; rather, a refocusing our perception of our "in Christ" connection-access (Eph. 2:18, Heb. 4:15-16), where God supplies all the work of peace.
In mental health challenges, no matter the condition, this state of peace is there and free. It is the Holy Spirit working uniquely as a 'peacekeeping' fortress guarding over our hearts and minds, surrounded by His lovingkindness (Ps. 32:10, Ps. 125:2).
Peace is given and learned, not earned (in challenges and anxieties).
Peace is like learning to fly a kite without instructions—just intuition. Of course, there is a detailed science behind the practice, but it is still an art for anyone.
Think of the Apostle Paul, who had to keep growing and learning through all his distress — trials, trauma, and daily anxiousness/stress for his work (2 Cor. 11:23-29).
He said he didn't arrive at a full understanding but continuously moved ahead, learning the secret of being content in all circumstances; being in Christ strengthens us (with endurance, resilience) in everything (Phil. 3:12-16 and 4:11-13).
No wonder the Apostle Paul says to learn from him his practice, saying that it has the same results "... and the God of Peace will be with you" (Phil. 4:9).
This Scriptural peace is most applicable to anyone experiencing mental health challenges. If that's you, you are also a hero of the faith.
There's so much more and I know you have your insights, too.
Share this with others and start an interesting and fun dialogue. Shalom, Shalom!
Joe Padilla | Grace Alliance
