Peace!, just the sound of the word invokes a sigh of relief and visions of the wind rustling through a flower-laden prairie or gentle waves lapping on a white shore. Peace in the world, peace in your home, your relationships, and more importantly, in your heart is something everyone strives for, whether they believe in God or not
Yet how can anyone have peace without living the life their Creator created them to live? If I fashioned a clay pot into a vase but the vase ran away from my home and tried to be a spoon somewhere, would the vase be happy? Wouldn't it instead be frustrated? disillusioned? Wouldn't it begin to wonder why life was so hard and what the purpose of it all was? (I know it's a silly illustration but it's so true!)
I was struck by the extended Greek definition of peace I found in my Amplified Bible here in 1 Peter 3:11 Let him search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) Just think about that for a minute. Complete Harmony. No fears, No agitating thoughts, desires, or feelings, and no moral conflicts! Now, that's peace!!
I don't know about you, but my life cannot be described like that. I'm closer than I was 10 years ago, but I long for this kind of peace. So, where can we find peace? True peace can only be found in God. It is the fruit of our relationship with Him. It comes from our day by day walk with Him, talking with Him, laying our cares at His feet, learning to trust Him.
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 NKJ
But did you know that we should Pursue Peace? The definition of pursue is to follow in order to overtake, capture; to strive to gain; seek to attain or accomplish; to chase!
Let him turn away from wickedness and shun it, and let him do right. Let him search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) and seek it eagerly. [Do not merely desire peaceful relations with God, with your fellowmen, and with yourself, but pursue, go after them!]
1 Peter 3:11 Amplified
In other words, don't just wish for peace or long for it. Go out and get it!! Sail after it! Chase peace down until it is yours. How do you do this?
You do the things that attract the object of your desire (Peace loves joy, righteousness, kindness, goodness, self control, gentleness.. )
In every confrontation, you look for the peaceful solution, even if it means you don't win.
You apologize first
You approach everyone with an attitude of humility
You are quick to listen and slow to talk
You put others ahead of yourself
You spend time with God every day (pray without ceasing! and listen for His voice!)
You guard your tongue for it can set forests aflame!
Can you think of other things you can do to pursue peace??
Great post. I've found the verse about dwelling on what is good helpful: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Phil 4:8
ReplyDeleteThis helps me to do the other things in your list.
Wonderful post, MaryLu. Each day, I work hard at guarding my peace, of course some days are easier than others.
ReplyDeleteYes, I love that verse too, Patricia! So hard to do at times.. but it works. :-) I agree Jill, some days it's easy right? But it's during those hard times, that keeping peace seems impossible. Well, without God, it is. Thanks for your comments. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have a question for you - - what do you do when you've tried these things to achieve peace - you apologize (even when you hadn't done anything wrong, but if they perceived a wrong, then the apology is given - you try to be humble in that you let them speak and you just listen, - you pray - you remain silent when they attack hoping they will run out of steam - - - but it seems the other person only perceives these attributes as you being spineless and a weakling - the attacks continue - they seem to delight in confrontation and in watching you squirm - - what now? How do you achieve peace when the other person doesn't want peace?
ReplyDeleteGood question. And first of all, I'm sorry for your situation. I spent many years in a similar situation, and it's not easy. The trouble is, you can't control anyone else but yourself. The Bible says to live at peace as much as it's possible with others. But like you said, sometimes those others don't want peace. So what do you do then? You do all you can to do the right thing and then you walk away. I don't know if this is a person you can't get away from or not. If it is, then I would not hang out with them until they have changed. If it is someone you live with (as was the case with me) it is possible to find peace deep within yourself, in that place where God lives, where you meet with Him and where you receive His love. This person may be ranting and raving all around you, but inwardly, you cling to that peace God gives you. It's hard. I've been there. I know. Apologize, yes. Listen, pray, yes. Be kind, yes. But never allow yourself to be walked on over and over. God doesn't want that for His children. I don't know your situation, but I suggest spending time with God, seeking His peace within. No one can take that from you. If need be and this continues, seek God's wisdom. You may have to remove yourself from the situation. I'm lifting up a prayer for you now.
DeleteMaryLu - thank you. This person is a very angry individual and I can't fix that. This is a work situation. Because she is my "supervisor", she feels she can use me for her "wiping post" - and I mean that literally - she has hit me. I have reported the abuse, but sadly, nothing has been done - and I think because of that, she thinks her abusive behavior is ok. It's not. I need my job, but I don't know how much more abuse I can take. It is taking a toll on me mentally and physically. I've tried everything I can think of to get along with her - bring treats, stay out of her way, stay silent, work harder, do all I can and more - hoping something would change her attitude towards me - but nothing pleases this person - it seems the harder I try, the angrier it makes her. I believe you are right - I need to leave - but I need a job - please pray for me - Jesus, please help me. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry! That sounds horrible. I don't understand why some people are so mean.. it's like the devil himself has taken them over. I will pray that the Lord leads you to another job and helps you get away from this person. He will... He doesn't want his kids to be abused anymore then we, as parents, want our kids to be abused. If you need further prayer you can contact me at marylu_tyndall@yahoo.com. God Bless
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