Guard Your Peace

We value many things, and what we value differs from one person to another; yet, there is something we all need that should be at the top of our list of most important things. It gives us strength, as stated in Psalm 29:11. When it is allowed to reign, it brings life, as noted in Romans 8:6. We should pursue it because it is easily lost, as mentioned in Psalm 34:14 and Romans 12:18. It is one of the good fruits we should seek to bear, as stated in Galatians 5:22-23. What we speak will bring it or cast it away, Proverbs 18:21. When we include God, He will give it in such a way our minds will not be able to comprehend fully and will guard our heart and mind, Philippians 4:6-7. We are to let this rule in our hearts, as Colossians 3:15 instructs us. We will receive this in its perfection when we keep our minds focused on God and trust Him, as Isaiah 26:3 promises.

What is it that we must value highly in our lives?

Peace, yes, peace will guard your thoughts and emotions. We cannot make peace. Finding lasting peace in the world is impossible. So, if we cannot find peace in the world, it cannot be bought in any store. We cannot make peace through a DIY project on the weekend. Where do we get it? The only place to find true peace, the peace that surpasses all the chaos in our lives, is in God (1 Corinthians 14:33). Pursuing Peace is not just looking for it but actively doing what you can to attain it. You seek information, but you pursue a career. In Psalm 34:14 NIV, we are instructed to "Turn from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it." We see peace, and now we need to pursue it and strive for it. When we have achieved it, then we must do everything we can to maintain it. How do we go about seeking, pursuing, and maintaining peace?

Here are a few things to get us started.

Our words hold immense power, capable of either nurturing or shattering peace. The age-old adage, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,' is a fallacy. My mother, in her wisdom, once handed me a hammer and a nail to illustrate the impact of words. She instructed me to drive the nail into the wall, then remove it and place it elsewhere, repeating the process. She likened the nail to words spoken; they pierce the heart. Then she asked what happened when I removed the nail. The wall now bore a hole, a scar left by the nail. Covering it up with putty may hide the hole, but the damage remains.

Nothing we do can ever restore the wall to its former state.

Father God is the only one who can heal a heart full of holes that words have made, but we must go to Him, then do as He says, and trust in the process for healing to begin. For the injured person, this involves forgiveness and pursuing the peace that is being stolen by the words we hear. When the words of another hurt us, the human desire is to hurt them back with words. In pursuing peace, we must watch our response to being hurt. Please refrain from reacting with words that could hurt them.

There are a million things we can speak back that they have done in the past, things that do not matter. Things let go at the time because words would not correct or change the matter. If the matter needs correction or more information is required due to a misunderstanding, then that falls under Romans 12:18 CJB, 'If possible, and to the extent that it depends on you, live in peace with all people.' The entire chapter of Romans 12 serves as a workshop on treating the people in our lives, which leads us to the second step.

Being a doer of God's word is crucial in maintaining peace.

Paul in Philippians 4:9 instructs us to put into practice everything the church has seen in Paul, heard, and received from his teaching, 'and the God of peace will be with you.' James 1:22-25 instructs us not only to listen to the word of God but also to be doers, to put the word into action in our lives. To be a doer of God's word, you must read and study God's word. Applying God's words to our way of living is the active part of pursuit.

In conclusion, I urge you to cherish your peace to the extent that you refuse to let someone's words or actions rob you of it. Do not allow what you see on TV, hear on the radio, or read on social media to drag you into the chaos of the world. So many are in desperate need of peace, from the woman standing in front of a moving car in protest to the one on all fours screaming because others refuse to think like her. To the little old lady crying from the fear that has gripped her due to the chaos around her and having no one to run to.

As God's children, we know that Psalm 18:2 NIV, 'The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.' Psalm 18:10 NIV, 'The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.' We must safeguard the peace we have in God, not only for ourselves, our families, and our friends but also for those lost in the darkness that the world has become. So the next time you feel the urge to speak words that will not fix things but will only worsen the situation, run to God instead and seek His comfort.