平安（Shalom）
“神所赐出人意外的平安，必在基督耶稣里，保守你们的心怀意念。” - 腓 4:7
你若关注每天的新闻，你便知道登上头条新闻的，大部份都是坏消息。我们听到战争、灾难、违法案件、恐怖活动、经济危机、以及其他的很多事情。我们个人的处境也可能包括很多坏消息 － 家庭纠纷、健康问题、支付更多更贵的帐单 … 等等。
面对那么多的挣扎，我们要怎样做呢？我们可能会因此采取消极的态度，从而令自己感到焦虑，甚至身体也由此感到不适。难怪焦虑是我们这个世代最常见的问题之一。
然而，在腓立比书中，我们找到神赐平安的应许：“出人意外的平安。”
希伯来文中的平安，就是shalom，这个字有很丰富和深厚的意思。圣经所说的真平安（shalom）表达一种内在的整全、完善和安宁。它不单描述一个没有战争或冲突的状态，它更显示人的内心与神、与自己、与自己所属的社群的和谐。平安指向神为我们预备的活泼和丰盛的生命。
对保罗来说，内心的平安不是靠放松训练、拒绝相信或积极思考的力量得到的。他全心全意信靠主会保护他并赐给他平安。
当你信靠主必拯救你并使你充满活力，你便不会感到焦虑的了。你可以感谢神，并向祂倾诉你所有的困难和焦虑，祂必垂听，并赐予你平安。
祷告
上主我神啊，我们为耶稣的福音感谢你。求你以你奇妙的平安充满我们的心，帮助我们摆脱焦虑。阿们。
腓立比书 4:4-9
4你们要靠主常常喜乐，我再说，你们要喜乐！
5当叫众人知道你们谦让的心。主已经近了。
6应当一无挂虑，只要凡事藉着祷告、祈求和感谢，将你们所要的告诉神。
7神所赐出人意外的平安，必在基督耶稣里保守你们的心怀意念。
8弟兄们，我还有未尽的话，凡是真实的、可敬的、公义的、清洁的、可爱的、有美名的，若有什么德行，若有什么称赞，这些事你们都要思念。
9你们在我身上所学习的、所领受的、所听见的、所看见的，这些事你们都要去行，赐平安的神就必与你们同在。
Shalom
"The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7
If you follow the daily news, you know that bad news grabs most of the headlines. We hear about wars, disasters, crime, terrorism, economic troubles, and more. Our personal situation may also include bad news—family problems, health issues, more and higher bills to pay, and so on.
What can we do in the midst of so much struggle? The potential negative outcomes can make us anxious, even to the point of becoming physically ill. It’s no wonder anxiety is one of the most common issues of our time.
In Philippians, however, we find the promise of God’s peace, “which transcends all understanding.”
The Hebrew word for peace, shalom, has a very rich and profound meaning. True biblical shalom conveys an inner sense of completeness, wholeness, and tranquility. It can describe not only an absence of war or conflict but also inward harmony with God, oneself, and one’s community. Shalom points to the flourishing of full life as God intends for us.
For Paul, inner peace doesn’t come through relaxation techniques, denial, or the power of positive thinking. He fully trusts the Lord to protect him and grant him peace.
Trust in the Lord to save you and fill you with life, and you don’t have to be anxious. You can thank God and share with him all of your troubles and anxieties. He hears and gives peace.
Prayer
Lord God, thank you for the good news of Jesus. Fill us with your amazing peace and deliver us from anxiety, we pray. Amen.