I turned around to face the sink as my husband brushed by me into the garage. I wanted to discuss when we would sit down for dinner, but he was busy working on a project. His curt response cut me to the quick.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll fend for myself this week,” he retorted as he disappeared back into his man cave.
The tears welled up in my heart as I thought about the load of groceries I’d just stuffed into the refrigerator. I’d spent several days menu planning, and now he was telling me he’d rather eat cereal alone.
My tears quickly turned to icy anger. We’d exchanged vows just four weeks earlier, and now I wondered if I’d made a mistake.
As I wrestled with my rollercoaster emotions, my oblivious groom stepped back inside to grab a piece of equipment. He saw me standing at the sink and nuzzled up in my ear. I felt completely suffocated. I wanted to throw the dirty dishes at him, but instead I responded by excusing myself to gain my composure.
Both my husband and I grew up in homes where the philosophy was “he who screams loudest wins.” Neither of us wanted to have a marriage established on selfish animosity, so we began studying the Scriptures to help us learn how to live peaceably with one another.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9) You can’t create a happy haven unless you are willing to do the hard work of setting aside your selfishness and responding with meekness. Rather than pummeling each other with angry words, we can purpose to promote peace.
4 Ways to Promote Peace:
- Edify others and overcome evil with good.
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:13-14)
- Endure people’s humanity with patient humility.
“…walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)
- Extend grace and resolve to forgive.
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” (Hebrews 12:14-15)
- Encourage reconciliation and battle against resentment and bitterness.
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:17-18)
As daughters of the King, we are called to be peacemakers. Rather than react in the flesh, we can turn to prayer, ask God to strip away our pride, and fill us with His supernatural love. We serve the Prince of Peace, and His Word will light the path and show us the way.
Let’s resolve to not push back, but instead to promote peace.