Hand in Hand with the Lord: The Key to Well-being

Do you know that living hand in hand with the Lord is the key to well-being?

Our lives are marked by trauma and loss. We all want deep healing and well-being. In fact, we long for shalom (the Hebrew word for peace). Shalom is translated as “peace,” but it is much more than this.

We can best describe the concept of shalom as well-being, flourishing, and thriving emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically in all circumstances. Besides, this kind of well-being is expansive and relational. It increases over time, is rooted in a relationship, and influences all our relationships.

Shalom is well-being, flourishing, and thriving emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically in all circumstances. #wellbeing #trustGod #Biblestudy Share on X

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Hand in Hand with the Lord: The Key to Well-being

We see clearly the connection between living hand in hand with the Lord and shalom or our well-being, in the biblical symbolism of the name of Solomon, also called “Jedidiah” or “Beloved of the Lord”.

“Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him; and because the Lord loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah.” (2 Samuel 12:24-25, NIV)

Jedidiah means “Beloved of the Lord,” but also resembles the meaning of “Hand in Hand with the Lord.” The root “Yad” means “hand,” and “Yadad” denotes love and affection, also in a physical sense.

So, on one side, we have the beloved of the Lord, who lives also hand in hand with the Lord, and on the other side, we have Solomon, the name being rooted in the word “shalom,” making it rich in meaning. The name Solomon denotes wholeness, completeness, peace, and a righteous recompense or restitution. As an adjective, it means peaceful, perfect, whole, complete, and safe.

There is a direct connection between our relationship of love and intimacy with the Lord and our condition of wholeness and well-being.

Being Beloved of the Lord Leads to Rest and Peace

There is one more person in the Old Testament who is called “beloved of the Lord”. We find this phrase in the blessing of the tribe of Benjamin in Deuteronomy.

About Benjamin, he said: “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.” (Deut. 33:12, NIV)

Here we see the beloved of the Lord resting between God’s shoulders, as a child snuggled in his father’s embrace, head on his breast, hearing his heartbeats. This is the closest position to God’s heart and paints a beautiful picture of total trust, intimacy, and surrender.

This posture of relating to God signifies complete rest, peace, and satisfaction. The eternal arms embrace us and shield us, so nothing can really harm us. God keeps our souls safe for eternity.

The Key and the Source of Our Well-being

These two examples show that our love relationship with the Lord is the source and key to our well-being, to our shalom. Everything flows from there. We can rest in the fact that we are beloved, unconditionally and forever.

Our relationship of love and intimacy with the Lord is the source and key to our well-being. #trustGod #faith #wellbeing Share on X

When we take the posture of childlike faith, trust, and surrender, we are in the best position to receive from the Lord everything we need for our wholeness and well-being.

We can receive forgiveness, righteousness, emotional and physical healing, freedom, and restoration. God is able and ready to give us His strength, peace, and joy moment by moment. Like a master gardener, He tends to our souls and bodies, and works to transform and keep our hearts as flourishing and fruitful gardens.

Our part is to love Him back and walk hand in hand with Him daily, following His guidance and obeying His words. Hand in hand, partnering with the Lord, our well-being expands, and we grow in every aspect.

Walking hand in hand with the Lord will help us not only experience personal well-being mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, but also relationally. Partnering with the Lord in loving others well with His love will heal our relationships, and we can see them flourish, too.

Are you longing for well-being and God’s shalom? Let’s pray together.

Prayer

Lord, thank You that I am Your beloved. Thank You for purchasing me and cleansing me with the precious blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, I need deep healing and lasting change. As I trust You and walk hand in hand with You, bring Your well-being into my life and relationships. Restore Your shalom in me and help me be a restorer of shalom for others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hand in Hand with the Lord in Our Pain and Suffering

If you want to learn more about how we can draw near to God and walk hand in hand with Him in our pain and suffering, my book,“Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings,” is for you. Let me take you on a journey through 13 painful experiences, showing the losses and the precious blessings in each of them.

More Encouragement for You

If you need more resources, encouragement, and help on how to walk hand in hand with the Lord, I can highly recommend these books. Check them out.

Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk

The Night Is Normal by Dr. Alicia Britt Chole

Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert

Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo

It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst

Hope When Life Unravels: Finding God When It Hurts by Adam Dooley

Restoration Year – a 365 Days Devotional by John Eldredge

All Things New by John Eldredge

Hope for the Hard Days by Sarah Geringer

Lean into Grace by Stacey Pardoe

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Your Turn

In which area of your life do you need God’s shalom the most? Share in the comments and on social media if you found this article helpful. Thank you!

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Walking hand in hand with the Lord will help us experience well-being mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. #trustGod #wellbeing #mentalhealth Share on X

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