Do you consider yourself a peacemaker in your relationships? Or a peace-stealer? For the month of April, I’ll be focusing on one of the Fruits of the Spirit: Peace.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
I love peace and quiet. I love solitude, but I also love the peace that comes from everyone in the family doing their own thing happily.
One kid riding their bike quietly in the backyard. Another reading. The others working on some joint art project. My husband is out working on the car and I’m blissfully tapping away at my keyboard.
And then I hear a raised voice, a flung-down pencil, and some angry words. So much for peace and quiet.
Of course, I head to the altercation, ready to play peacemaker. But then something happens. Somewhere among the yelling and the not listening to me (hello, peacemaker here!), I begin to yell. In fact, I beat them all in the yelling department.
Now, everyone is sent to their respective corners while I fume at the rudeness of their disruption. But when I look around, I realize that everyone is looking at me, the “peacemaker”- who has just stolen everyone else’s peace.
What does it mean to be a giver of peace?
It’s pretty obvious why God calls the peacemakers His children. In a world that’s divisive and full of hate, pride, and selfishness, those who care more for the comfort of all than the comfort of themselves are truly following the only example that matters: Jesus Christ.
Jesus gave people peace wherever he went. Peace from sickness and disease. Peace from the torment of their sins. And peace in their eventual salvation.
That doesn’t mean he didn’t discipline the hypocritical leaders (Matthew 23) or throw a few tables (Matthew 21:12-13). Being a peacemaker is not the same as being a pushover.
But these things were done not to add drama, but to right a wrong. To try to correct those who were stealing peace from the people. It was clearing debris from the road of peace.
How to be a peacemaker
Here are some ways you can be a peacemaker in your relationships:
- Bring a gentle spirit to those who are raw and hurting, not anger – even when they’ve been wronged
- Listen far more than you speak so that you leave the other person feeling heard and understood
- If you want to end a disagreement between two people, check your own feelings so you can focus on making peace for them, not making it about you
- When you’re a peacemaker, people walk away from you lighter, not heavier with negative emotions
- Don’t focus on anyone’s bad qualities, or gossip. This act steals the peace from everyone speaking and listening.
- Offer your services to anyone who is frazzled, overwhelmed, or down – babysitting services, a home-cooked meal, a donation, etc.
Lighten each other’s loads so we can all see the light of God’s peace shining down on us. That’s how we can be peacemakers in this world. Follow the example of the ultimate peacemaker, Jesus Christ.
Have a blessed Monday!
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