Depart from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it
Psalm 34:14 (NKJV)
Peace is beautiful, whether it’s the calming sound of the wind whispering through the trees on a lovely day or just a comfortable silence shared with those you love.
Conflict on the other hand, is not beautiful.
Disagreements and arguments that fill the atmosphere with tension often make one want to hide and disappear.
But I wonder how often we consider what contributes to that tension. Is it always the other person who “Just doesn’t understand you?” Or is it you?
The word of God encourages us to pursue peace. While many of us may like the idea of peace, we may not know how to actually pursue it. In fact, sometimes we may be the very people contributing to its loss.
So the question becomes, what does it actually mean to pursue peace? And how does one pursue peace? Let’s find out.
It Depends On You
Romans 12:18 says : If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (NKJV)
One of the most important things to remember when it comes to pursuing peace is that you have a role to play.
This does not mean that it is completely up to you to maintain peace or that it is only your responsibility to keep the peace in particular situations. Not at all. But it does mean that you have a part to play. That is what the verse in Romans reveals when it says “as much as depends on you”.
Are you someone who is easily offended and quick to anger? Does that lead you to speak impulsively or say hurtful or thoughtless things that result in conflict?
If so this means that there are areas in which you need the allow the Holy Spirit to work and help you produce His fruit. (Galatians 5:22-23)When you focus on the ways in which you can contribute to bringing peace instead of conflict, you are likely to find that there will be more peace.
Oftentimes we are the problem but we just don’t want to admit it.
However, there are times when it is clear that someone else is actively disrupting the peace. And it has nothing to do with you.
So what do you do in that situation?
Leave It For God
It’s not unusual to feel like you need to fix someone’s problems, change their character or put them in their place.
But just because you feel like doing all those things it does not mean that you should. This is especially so if God has not given you specific instruction to correct someone.
When you act apart from God’s leading, you are more likely to worsen the situation as you’ll be speaking from your own emotions. But the Word tells us that the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:20)
So then what do you do if someone else is stealing the peace? Leave it for God.
This doesn’t mean that you do nothing. It means that you pray and ask God for wisdom on the best way to navigate the situation. (James 1:5) You don’t have to be the one to do the fixing instead let the Holy Spirit work through that person.
In the meantime, you must do your part in keeping and pursuing peace. That may mean holding your tongue when someone says something unkind. Acting in kindness even when someone has been rude to you.
It may not be the easiest thing to do but if you trust in God’s grace and rely on His Holy Spirit you can do it.
Peace Begins In You
Jesus says in John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.
Take note of the wording. We are promised that we will have tribulation, we are promised trials and difficult situations. But peace? Jesus says we may have it. Why? Because it depends on us.
It depends on whether or not we will pursue it. Whether or not we will seek it.
As you pursue peace it’s important to remember that your circumstances don’t have to determine the amount of peace. They can but they don’t have to.
Peace begins within you and it comes from Jesus Christ.
Regardless of what it going on around you, you can have peace of heart and peace of mind.
You can receive it by casting your cares upon the Lord, keeping your mind fixed on Him through meditating on the Word and by turning to Him in prayer.
Jesus Christ is our Prince of Peace. He brought peace between us and God and even in the most trying and difficult situations He can bring you peace. All you have to do is turn to Him.
