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One Little Word in My Spiritual Journey

Thank you to Holly for the opportunity to write and reflect and share my spiritual journey. Join us here!
This series of posts is about our One Little Words for the year 2016 and how they will guide and impact our spiritual lives. Today we write about SELAH. This is my word. Join us, please!


SELAH is a word that appears in the Bible. It's exact meaning is unknown. I like that. It can mean praise. It can mean pause and reflect. I feel like SELAH is a word to take on faith. I believe this word will guide my year.

When I pick my word, I like to pick a word that's unusual...a word that one doesn't often hear in everyday life. To me, it makes it more special. SELAH is a word that popped into my vocabulary from one of my favorite women in the world, Glennon Doyle Melton. 


She wrote about it one day on social media and her words are my definition. She wrote, "Selah means holy pause. The Selah is the space between what happens to us and how we respond to what happens to us. When we don't take a Selah—we tend to respond from fear."
In my spiritual life, I have faith. I believe, but I still often respond from fear first. It's like it takes awhile for the faith to kick in. What do I want from the word SELAH? I want to focus more on the faith and less on the fear. I want to remind myself that God is good and I'm not alone. I fail in this...daily...but I am working on it. By taking a SELAH, I'm reminding myself that God is with me and for me. Pray more, worry less. Believe...live that belief. I say the words. I mean the words. I don't always live those words. SELAH is a slowing down. A stop and think before I react. A moment to think about the why. A pause and reflect.


We all need these moments. My last blog post I wrote about how everyone has a story. Thinking about that means taking a SELAH. Believing that we are all out there doing our best and trying our hardest...that's the way I want to live. What does SELAH mean? It's a way to live. Prayer. Grace. Forgiveness. Reflection. Love.

You gave him his heart's desire. You did not refuse the prayer from his lips. SELAH Psalm 21:2

You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyous songs of salvation. SELAH   Psalm 32:7
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. SELAH Psalm 46:11  

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Comments

  1. Holly MuellerJanuary 28, 2016 at 7:08 AM

    I saw the joy you felt on FB when you realized Glennon Doyle Melton was at your Women's Faith Conference. I attended one of those years ago when I was a young adult and loved it. Many of the women I saw then were at your conference. What a great picture of you and Glennon! I love the scriptures you chose.

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  2. Margaret SimonJanuary 28, 2016 at 7:10 AM

    I am loving your word and especially Glennon's definition. We do often react in fear. I need to remember your word every day. I need to say selah instead of a curse word. I need to take a deep breath with selah. Thanks for choosing such an unusual and thoughtful word.

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  3. Irene LathamJanuary 28, 2016 at 7:34 AM

    "Holy pause" is certainly an invitation, isn't it? Thanks for sharing your word, this lovely post, and for broadening my vocabulary. :)

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  4. DoraineJanuary 28, 2016 at 7:40 AM

    Don't we all need to slow down, breathe, reflect? I know I do. Wishing you quiet moments today.

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  5. Donna SmithJanuary 28, 2016 at 10:21 AM

    I don't know that I've ever actually said "selah" to myself, but I do know that is what I do when I see that fear is trying to grip me. I like her definition that "Selah is the space between what happens to us and how we respond to what happens to us", though I've never thought of it as a noun. I like Margaret's idea of letting "Selah" slip from your tongue instead of a curse!

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  6. LindaJanuary 28, 2016 at 11:56 AM

    Your post is lovely, Michelle. Thank you for introducing me to the word, and I especially like thinking of it as a "holy pause." We all need more of those in our lives. I'm so glad you chose Selah as your OLW and shared it with all of us.

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  7. bethanyJanuary 28, 2016 at 12:59 PM

    Thank you for choosing and sharing a potent Old Testament word, still so very relevant today, as you have beautifully expressed for us. It is a good word to have in mind and heart as we journey. Thanks again! God bless you!

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  8. Mary HillJanuary 28, 2016 at 3:52 PM

    I am really blessed by your word this week. I enjoyed putting together my post. The word really brought home to me the majesty and beauty of God, His Word, and His Salvation plan for all. Thank you for sharing.

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  9. Wondering Winterstein January 28, 2016 at 7:34 PM

    "Focus more on FAITH and less on fear." You have offered words to guide us on the journey. Thank you for guiding our pause with your insightful meditation and OLW.

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  10. Violet N.January 29, 2016 at 12:41 AM

    I really enjoyed your explanation of Selah and what it means to you. I also enjoyed delving into it for myself this week. It's a wonderful little word that can be packed with meaning. Thank you!

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  11. RamonaJanuary 30, 2016 at 8:12 AM

    A holy pause...definitely something I could use more of in my daily walk. I love your illustrated heart and enjoyed rereading Psalm 46, especially love the first verse. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." I think that stopping for that holy pause can help us recognize that He is present, always waiting to help when we turn to Him.

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