Day 12 - Relating in Peace

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people.”
​Romans 12: 18

Meditate or Reflect
When we are at peace then we are at ease, unharmed, and in a state of harmony.  It is like feeling shalom in a gentle breeze and all through our very breath. As Christ followers our pursuit in relationships should be to live in harmony and at ease with others – as much as it depends on you, be at peace with all people. Our character that comes from the depths of our soul should strive for peace. However, not every person is a person of peace.  “So far as it depends on you” means you can only manage what you are putting into a relationship. We are called to be people of peace, but when other people are not bringing peace into a relationship, we need to take a pause and evaluate our options: having a hard conversation, creating a little distance, or even ending a relationship. Take a breath and think of areas in your life where you are at peace or in conflict. Are there any conversations you need to have to cultivate peace? Reflect on the ways God has given you peace – wholeness, harmony, lacking nothing and no fear of being troubled. 
 
Thoughts and Behaviors
Turn to your thoughts. Are your thoughts generally peaceful and at ease, or antagonistic? Consider the verse from Romans 12: 18 and reflect on these questions with the Spirit’s help: 

• Are you relating to God with thoughts of peace or anger? What changes can you make?
• Are you relating to yourself with thoughts of peace or hatred? What changes can you make?
• Are you relating to others with thoughts of peace or discord? What changes can you make? If peace is a challenge for relating with others, begin by praying for how to engage them.
• Are others relating to you with peaceful words? If others are sowing discord with you this may be a relationship that should give you pause to consider your options for relating to someone who is antagonistic toward you, and set new boundaries.

 
Observe your behaviors. Are your behaviors generally peaceful and at ease, or antagonistic? Consider the verse from Romans 12: 18 and reflect on these questions with the Spirit’s help: 

• Is your behavior toward God peaceful or angry? What changes can you make? Humility?
• Is your behavior toward yourself peaceful? Seeking wholeness in Christ?
• Is your behavior toward others peaceful? Being at ease and seeking harmony?​ If peace is a challenge for relating with others, begin by praying for how to engage them.
• Are others relating to you with peaceful behaviors? If others are disrupting your peace, this may be a relationship that should give you pause to consider your options for relating to someone who is a peace disruptor (critical, lying, and yelling, etc.), and set new boundaries.

 
Flourishing and Protecting
As followers of Christ we are called to be peacemakers. This means cultivating and maintaining peace with our words and actions should be one of the primary focuses of healthy relationships.  However, one person alone cannot do all the work of cultivating peace. When we are met with hostile, antagonistic, or hateful people, it is best to invite someone else into the conversation – a counselor, an impartial friend, a trusted advisor. Hopefully, peace can be established, but if it is not, then it may be time to create boundaries for protecting your peacefulness. Also, search your heart, mind, and soul to see where you may be sowing discord with others, and make any changes that could improve your part in a relationship.
 
To flourish with peace in relationships means to seek harmony and wholeness, and to be at ease with others. Above all else, seeking the peace that comes from God and surpasses human understanding.. Take a breath and cherish the peaceful relationship you have with God, receiving the blessing of peace from God where there is no fear – a God who desires relationship with you. Also, express your gratitude for the relationships where you experience the presence of peace, and pray for those who are not living in peace.