Several years ago, I took over a ministry which required several volunteers. I inherited much of the staff from the previous director, which, for the most part, worked out well. However, one of the key people on the team created a bit of a problem. He was constantly argumentative and difficult to get along with. He spoke his mind and was often causing hard feelings among the other staff. I spent a lot of time patching up these situations behind the scenes so we could accomplish the purpose for which our ministry existed.
In one of my frustrating moments of confrontation, I asked him, “Why are you always so difficult to get along with?” His response was, “That’s just who I am.” I challenged him with this thought, “As a new creation in Christ, that is not who you have to be. God can transform your anger and brashness into a person of peace through the work of his Holy Spirit.”
Why is this transformation important? Jesus reveals the answer in his very first public sermon. In Matthew 5:9, he says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Jesus declares that being a person of peace is a prerequisite for him to recognize me as a child of God. This pronouncement demonstrates how important God views this quality in the life of a man who desires to pursue godliness.
It is important to understand that becoming a man of peace requires a joint effort between you and the Spirit of God. The work God is offering is defined in Philippians 4:7, And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. God will provide peace in your life. This peace will serve to protect you from the temptations and attacks of Satan. It is so amazing; it goes beyond anything we can understand. TRUTH: What we are offered is a supernatural gift, the ability to live in a manner that is impossible in our own ability.
This brings us to our part. This is found in Philippians 4:4-6, Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Our admonition from God is to not allow the stresses of this life to overwhelm our understanding of God’s grace and goodness. I want to be clear; the peace God is talking about is not the absence of conflict. We live in a fallen world; this life is going to have difficult challenges. Instead, God’s peace has to do with how we choose to deal with those struggles. Peace is predominantly choosing to rest in the security of God in every circumstance of our lives, knowing he can bring blessing out of trouble if we give him the opportunity. This process begins with a conscious decision to rejoice in every situation. This is not a flippant reaction to pain but remembering who we are in Christ and the hope we have in him will always be greater than the worst this world can give.
When we recognize the nearness and power of God in our situations, it is then necessary to give those burdens to God through prayer. Notice this involves thanksgiving. Again, not being thankful for the problem, but thankful that God will run point against the situation we face. This peace does not mean we can’t stand up for what we believe in. It requires us to be assured what we stand for is God honoring. Then as we face opposition, we address that boldly in love. It is remembering that the one disagreeing or causing us the struggle is not the enemy. Satan is simply using them to rob us of peace. As a peacemaker, we can find more consistent joy in our own lives and may be able to rescue someone whom Satan is attacking through our gentle response. Try it. God will honor it.