And the shalom [peace] of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Messiah Yeshua [Jesus the Christ]. Philippians 4:7, TLV

A Bubble of Peace?   Shalom? Have you ever felt it? You shouldn’t feel calm or clearheaded, but you are. There is grief or chaos or hopelessness or fear around you, but it is like you’re in a bubble and it can’t touch you.

*Sigh*

I wish we could live in that bubble all the time. Because that would sure make life easier, right?

Easier, yes, but what do we learn? How do we walk in faith?

Over twenty-five years ago, I sat next to my mother on her bed. Her Bible laid open on her lap. We looked at each other, tears crowding our eyes, waiting to release. It had been a long day at the funeral home and the viewing.

Tomorrow we would do the impossible — she would bury her husband and I, my daddy. Dad died suddenly at 65 getting ready for work, shower running, then he was just gone. We were still in shock, yet something else going on.

Before she went to sleep, we prayed for that peace that surpassed our understand as we kept our hearts and minds on Jesus. That was all we could think to do. There was no way to prepare for whatever emotions would bombard us.

And then there were all the people — all at once. Close family. Distant family. People I didn’t know. All beside themselves with grief.

That day . . .

The day was pretty much a blur of endless hugs and sympathies. At some point, mom and I looked at each other and smiled. Yes, that shalom — that peace that surpassed all understanding was there. We held babies, comforted others, and shared our assurance that we would be reunited in heaven. That my dad was in the arms of his Savior.

At one point, one of my cousins questioned as to what drugs mom and I were on. I laughed.

There was no doubt we had not generated this bubble of peace. And there was no doubt that eventually, in private, away from the crowds, we would grieve, deeply. And we did. But, when we really needed that bubble, it was there.

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have shalom. In the world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33, TLV)

Yes, in this world we will have tribulations. And yes, our Messiah has overcome the world! But there are times of His choosing when He gives us that bubble.

I have experienced these bubbles at least two other times. Ultimately, I want my life to be the testimony of His shalom in or out of that sacred bubble.

How about you?