Blessed Are the Peacemakers
by Lynette Kittle
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” - Matthew 5:9
When it comes to conflicts on Social Media or in the office, home, or family events, how are you at bringing peace to situations?
Do you jump in and take sides or do you look for ways to promote harmony?
As a kid, I remember sitting in the backseat of my parents’ car on a dark rainy night, lost in a questionable area in Chicago with my Mom and Dad upset at the situation, and at each other. After Dad called a man standing hidden in the dark street over to ask directions, my backseat praying for God’s turned me to action.
With little to no map reading experience of my own, I grabbed it and started giving my Dad directions to the church we were trying to find. Although I’m not really sure how much it helped, it did seem to turn the tide of the angry car atmosphere and de-escalate the situation.
In my family’s traveling nightmare, it diffused the anger and helped my parents to get on the right path to our destination. Like James 3:18 explains, “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
Looking back I realize my Dad who lived in a small Ohio farming community and had an aversion to big cities, was probably fearful of being lost and vulnerable on the back streets of Chicago. He was most likely afraid for the safety of his family.
In fearful situations, God’s remedy for it His peace. As 2 Thessalonians 3:16 reveals, there is only one true source of it found in the Lord Himself, who is able to give you peace at all times in every way. And there is no situation that can keep His peace from you.
When you choose to step in as a mediator, you are following Christ’s example as the peacemaker between God and mankind. As 1Timothy 2:5 explains, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”
Taking opportunities to be a peacemaker brings you benefits, too. 2 Corinthians 13:11 explains how “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourages one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
Setting your goal to become a peacemaker, like Jesus, will bring God’s love and peace to your life. As Isaiah 26:3 explains, God will keep you in perfect peace when your mind keeps steadfast in trusting Him. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, iBelieve.com, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, and more. She has an M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as an associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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