Be a Maker and Maintainer of Peace
Whether it's at home, at work, or a family get-together, we all find ourselves in situations where we're tempted to argue and get into strife. The other person is pushing their position hard, but we know we're right about it and they are wrong. We want them to know we're right because it feels good when we prove our point, and we want to fight back. But being right is overrated if it steals your peace and leads you into conflict. You can prove you're right, but what if it produces strife between you and your spouse? You can be right and have a loved one walk away. You can be right and have no friends. You can be right and be miserable.
Jesus says, "Blessed are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9). He doesn't say, "Blessed are the people who control situations and make them go their way." He doesn't say, "Happy are the ones who must be right all the time, no matter what it costs." He says, "When you walk in peace and are willing to be a peacemaker, you will walk in the fullness of God's blessing." That's the key. Be a maintainer of peace.
Years ago, Joel and I were at an event when a man whom we didn't know began a conversation with us. He very passionately tried to persuade Joel to believe what he was stating, and the longer he talked the more intense he got. Joel mostly smiled and occasionally nodded his head. After the man was finished and walked away, I said, "Joel, I know you don't believe what he was saying. Why didn't you tell him what you think?" Joel responded, "Victoria, I wasn't put on this earth to straighten everybody out. I would rather hold my peace than prove him wrong."
The apostle Paul says, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18). When you allow other people to be right, it doesn't make you wrong. It makes you a peacemaker. Sometimes you just need to smile and nod your head so you can maintain the peace. That doesn't mean you have to be others' doormat and agree with everything they say or that you're not allowed to have your own opinion. It means you are aware of when a conversation is going too far and getting heated. You understand when strife is knocking at your door. In those moments, peace is your guard and guide. The peace of God inside you is God's way of saying, "Don't push back and bring strife. You don't have to prove yourself. Leave it to Me to handle. Be a maker and maintainer of peace."
Jesus says, "Blessed are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9). He doesn't say, "Blessed are the people who control situations and make them go their way." He doesn't say, "Happy are the ones who must be right all the time, no matter what it costs." He says, "When you walk in peace and are willing to be a peacemaker, you will walk in the fullness of God's blessing." That's the key. Be a maintainer of peace.
Years ago, Joel and I were at an event when a man whom we didn't know began a conversation with us. He very passionately tried to persuade Joel to believe what he was stating, and the longer he talked the more intense he got. Joel mostly smiled and occasionally nodded his head. After the man was finished and walked away, I said, "Joel, I know you don't believe what he was saying. Why didn't you tell him what you think?" Joel responded, "Victoria, I wasn't put on this earth to straighten everybody out. I would rather hold my peace than prove him wrong."
The apostle Paul says, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18). When you allow other people to be right, it doesn't make you wrong. It makes you a peacemaker. Sometimes you just need to smile and nod your head so you can maintain the peace. That doesn't mean you have to be others' doormat and agree with everything they say or that you're not allowed to have your own opinion. It means you are aware of when a conversation is going too far and getting heated. You understand when strife is knocking at your door. In those moments, peace is your guard and guide. The peace of God inside you is God's way of saying, "Don't push back and bring strife. You don't have to prove yourself. Leave it to Me to handle. Be a maker and maintainer of peace."