How can I make peace with others?
Psalm 34:14Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
Isaiah 43:2“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”
Jeremiah 29:7“Work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
Matthew 5:9“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”
Peace is not the absence of conflict; it is a confident assurance in the midst of conflict. Peace comes from dealing with conflict appropriately. God calls us to pursue peace, which involves the hard work of finding common ground, honoring others, remaining steadfast, and seeking God’s will in all things.
2 Corinthians 13:11Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.
Working hard at ridding sin from our lives while diligently building others up will lead to peaceful relationships. This kind of effort results in a clearer sense of God’s presence.
Ephesians 4:3Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
Work toward unity with others, a unity that can only come from the Holy Spirit’s presence in our hearts as we honestly seek to live in peace.
James 3:17-18The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
We are called to pursue the wise and gentle deeds that are the mark of a true peacemaker. This will require that we treat others with respect, mercy, kindness, and impartiality.
Psalm 37:37Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace.
Romans 12:17-19Never pay back evil with more evil. . . . Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
If you harbor feelings of revenge in your heart, you cannot be at peace with others. Bitterness and revenge can never lead to peace. Forgiveness creates space for peace.
Proverbs 12:20Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
Seeking peace with others is one of the surest ways to release streams of joy into your heart. Examine your intentions; are you mulling over actions that will hurt and offend others or are you considering ways you can promote peace with others, like meeting their needs, expressing appreciation for them, and honoring them.
Matthew 5:9“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”
God blesses us as we seek to bring his peace to others. At the personal level, this often involves making the choice to apologize, de-escalate an argument, or remain calm when others are inciting anger and violence.
Psalm 34:14-15Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.
When we pursue peace with others, the Lord supports us in every way. He guards our steps and hears our prayers. We can pray confidently for him to change our own hearts and to touch the lives of those with whom we want to be reconciled.
