Peace Is a Choice, Not a Personality Trait
Key Text: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18
Peace is not something you experience only when everybody around you behaves well. If that were the case, many of us would hardly have peace because people can be wonderfully talented at pressing the exact buttons we asked them not to press. Paul says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Notice that he did not say, “Live at peace with everyone who agrees with you.” He understood that you cannot control everybody’s behaviour, but you can decide what kind of person you will be in response to their behavior.
Sometimes we think keeping peace means avoiding difficult people completely. We say things like, “I just don’t like trouble,” when what we really mean is, “I don’t want anybody disturbing my emotional comfort.” But biblical peace is deeper than comfort. Jesus remained peaceful even when people misunderstood Him, criticized Him, accused Him, and treated Him unfairly. Peace does not mean you approve of wrong behavior, neither does it mean you become a doormat. It means you refuse to allow somebody else’s behavior to dictate the condition of your heart.
One of the greatest revelations about peace is that you can be right and still respond wrongly. You can have the correct argument and still lose your peace while proving your point. You can win the conversation and lose the relationship. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can say is not another explanation but, “I understand,” “Let’s talk about this later,” or simply, “I don’t want this to become a fight.” That is not weakness. That is emotional discipline. You are deciding that your peace is too valuable to hand over to somebody who woke up that morning looking for a free tenant in your head.
Prayer and Confession
Lord, help me to understand that peace begins with my response. Give me grace to control what is within my power and wisdom to leave what is beyond my control. I refuse to allow the actions of others to control my heart. I choose peace, patience, wisdom, and love today. Amen.
Reflection
Who is currently disturbing my peace, and what part of my response is within my control? Have I confused peace with getting everybody to agree with me?
Further Reading
Matthew 5:9; Romans 14:19; Hebrews 12:14; Proverbs 15:1; Colossians 3:12-15
