By Peace is a delicate thing. It is like balancing a fragile object on a rounded ledge with a cliff on each side. With just the smallest amount of indiscretion, a moment of peace can be broken and fall off the cliff from either side. Making peace, and then keeping it, is difficult.
On the one slippery side of this peaceful ledge, are those of us who tend to fake peace. It leads at first to denial and blame-shifting, and can quickly slip into escapism and suicide. It is a path of personal disaster burdening those around you with untold grief and frustration.
On the other slippery side of this ledge of peace-making and peace-keeping, are those of us who tend to break peace. This is the obvious cliff that many fall off, resorting to insults, gossip, slander, fights, and eventually murder. It too is a path of personal disaster inflicting harm on those around you.
(Book tip: These slippery slope insights are elaborated on in The Peacemaker by Ken Sande)
Matthew 5:9 pronounces a divine blessing on, not peace-fakers or peace-breakers, but on peace-makers. The delicate object of peace in our relationships and homes and workplaces is maintained by navigating the top of the rounded edge of life with great wisdom.
Sometimes peace is achieved by overlooking an offence (Pro 19:11; 1 Pet 4:8). This does not mean denial of the matter, but a willingness, because of love, to not take offence at something another had done.
Another, and very important, way to achieve peace during conflict is to speak up. Follow up with a person after an incident, reconcile, and win back the peace (Matt 18:15).
However, often overlooking a matter is just too difficult, or speaking to the person ends poorly, then all is not yet lost. Get help from wise and godly people (Gal 6:1-2). Let them help you to love enough to overlook truly, or to be wiser in how to talk to the other person.
In the more difficult situations it always helps to have some accountability to help you overcome your own contribution to the no-peace, and to see clearly the issue from a more objective perspective (Matt 7:1-5).
We each have a responsibility to make peace. Let us not neglect this great Christian duty and blessing!
Live in harmony with one another.
Romans 12:16-18
Do not be haughty, but
associate with the lowly.
Never be wise in your own sight.
… give thought to do what is honourable in the sight of all.
… so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.