“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
 
How well do you handle conflict? It is always an awkward interview question. Most people just reply I just walk away. Do you just walk away, or do you try and face it head on and come up with a resolution? For many of us who do not like conflict we agonize over it for a while and think of all the possible scenarios for the situation. Some of us would probably prefer cleaning a crocodile’s teeth with a mini toothbrush than deal with some situations that involve conflict. It could be intimidating to enter a situation that would involve a disagreement or tension between two people but, we are called to not just walk away from situations or turn a blind eye but, to enter disputes to make peace.

Peace does not come naturally, and it does not come easily it takes hard work. Peace involves sacrifice. To obtain peace a person must insert themselves into uncomfortable situations and strive for reconciliation communally and personally. Reconciliation happens through Jesus who restores us to a right relationship with God. Those who have been changed by God seek others to also be changed by God in order that others may know God and be called “blessed” by Him.

True peace is only found within a relationship with Jesus. There are moments when there is an illusion of peace in the middle of chaos when we take time to walk in nature, being with people who care about us, or practicing mindfulness. These are temporary moments of peace not sincere peace true peace only comes from Jesus. When we give our hearts to Jesus’ peace that cannot be measured flows throughout us to become peacemakers to others.
           
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus the Prince of Peace to be an example to everyone may we be agents of change under your direction.

Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.”
(John 14:27)
                 
Swings on playgrounds are fun; you can feel high in the air when you are swinging forward or backward. Once you get going on a swing it takes a moment to stop. We can apply Newtons law of motion on figuring out how to stop, keep going faster, and getting the initial push off the ground. When there is no force upon the swing it sits at rest. Our lives can feel like the swing that it is going in one direction and progressing, or we are swinging backwards and going even further away from the direction of where we want to be. In the middle is where the swing rests. There is no force moving it forward or backwards it is just there at peace.

There is a lot that is always happening in the world which propels us forward into changing for the good or going backwards and making wrong choices that can harm us. There are few things in this world that can give us peace. We may say a quiet afternoon strolling the beach or hikes near our favorite lake, gives us peace but this peace is only temporary. Complete peace is found within Jesus. Jesus brings peace that unites friends, family, and even strangers, and even contentment in all the areas of our lives. There is a restoration of an imbalance and Jesus brings us into a new harmony.

Jesus Christ came as the Prince of Peace this does not mean that there is an automatic peace in our lives, and everything will be made exactly how we envision it. Our hearts will know a new type of peace that brings us harmony even in our troubles. We must believe in Jesus and surrender our lives to Christ actively choosing to follow God living under his wisdom and direction.
 
Jesus, thank you that no matter our circumstances are at the time and the difficulties I see before me that you bring peace.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. “(Romans 14:19)
 
The past few months have been filled with whose policy is right or wrong. There have been people getting into fights because they want a particular candidate to win. Some friends no longer talk to each because of viewpoints of government policies. However, it is not about right or wrong but what builds another person up and promotes peace.

To build something there must be a firm foundation for many of us it involves who we are this is formed by our world view. Our world view encompasses how the world works based on our background from growing up and our lived experiences. During our lifetime we might face injustices: racial, poverty, healthcare, immigration it matters how we respond. There are ways we can contribute to aid to fight against these injustices we do not need to wait four years for an election year. The focus should be towards peace and bringing people together.

Often, many individuals think they have nothing to contribute but, we all have gifts and talents. Our talents may be different from someone else but, that is the beauty of community we can all contribute by bringing something different to the table.  What promotes peace is working together for a common good. Jesus is known as the Prince of Peace he is the ultimate promoter of providing peace so that we might come into a right relationship with God.  

Not only are we to promote peace build another person up. This can be done by small and large gestures such as having a conversation, smiling, and even saying an encouraging word.

Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus who is the ultimate idea of peace, during the next few days may we seek to promote peace and build one another up even when times are hard.
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Praying for you,
Stacy Watkins