3-54pm
There is a verse in the Bible that says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” It comes from Romans 12:18.
How is this possible?
There have been a few people in my life with whom peace-keeping has been difficult! To be honest, in the end, I’d rather just let them be and not get involved in their lives.
But living at peace with everyone is not a sweet ideal – it’s a Biblical instruction. Paul lived and worked with people too. They weren’t easy. Several times in Paul’s letters, he refers to conflict and how to resolve it. No wonder he says, ‘If it is possible’; I can imagine that at times, it was not. You cannot control others. When you are at odds with someone else, you can only control yourself and your own response to them. You cannot control what they say or do. So if it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live at peace with them. That’s controlling your response to them….make it a peaceful response.
Sometimes, these things take time. If there has been a breakdown in a relationship and there is no peace between two people, the passing of time may be required to soften the hearts of those involved, to allow acceptance, forgiveness and the fruit of peace.
I have been interested in what God has done for me, when I have had awkward relationships that have not exactly been fluffy and peaceful. Tense and uncomfortable are more accurate descriptions. Yet,after a while, at the perfect time, God has led these people to cross my path a
gain and in doing so, I have found my heart to be softened towards them. In fact after being hurt badly by someone, when I next encountered this person, my heart was no longer a heart of stone. I dug deep to see what had happened to the resentment I once harboured – I looked for bitterness and anger, but it was gone. I was almost shocked. God removed it. He does the work.
There will always be difficult people. God does not rush. Sometimes, these things take time, so be patient. Keep praying. God will do the work. Living at peace with everyone is possible with God.
Today has been quite busy. Leonard and Saka fought with the sliding door. There is still some work to be done, but the battle will be won. Look at the before photo ….
Yay! My house is on the mend! Tomorrow, they probably won’t come as rain is forecast…
…but look at that sunny weekend…which reminds me, Mike & I are joining friends for one night away on Saturday night. 😀 Where? I actually don’t know! I’m looking forward to that.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂
Gratitude Pic…I am feeling so so much better….the only cold is the weather and for that reason, I’ve got butternut/sweet potato soup on the stove…
