Anger seems to permeate our society today. Some are angry about their lives and how they may have been deprived in some way. Others are angry that they are stuck in a job that is not fulfilling and is without possibilities for advancement. There are those who feel that they married the wrong person, or that their spouse has changed into one who is no longer compatible. But so many seem to awaken each day on mission to discover a new reason to be angry. These are robbing themselves of the opportunity to find joy and peace in their lives.
But all is not lost! Consider the peacemakers, who although may be more difficult to find, they are not yet completely extinct. From what I read in the scriptures, peacemakers have great favor with God. In fact, He delights and blesses them in many ways and the scriptures speak often of that.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
“Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.” (Proverbs 2:20)
“So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.” (Romans 14:19)
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (Romans 12:18)
These are but a few of hundreds of verses in the scriptures that promote our being at peace with our fellow-man. It is almost as though God knew that this would not come easy to most in this world. Well, as we can now clearly see, we now know that He was absolutely right!
One reason that there is a dearth of peacemakers is that so many build a barrier around themselves. It is as though they have an invisible fortification around them, much like a home security system. It is always armed and automatically analyzes anyone who comes near this unseen zone. This is not necessarily always a terrible thing, since we should be cautious of those we come in contact with. But rather than quickly assuming that everyone is out to hurt us, we should also give them the benefit of the doubt.
Multitudes have become paranoid, assuming that most are out to bring them harm. What a miserable way to move through this life that God has given to us. It cannot please Him when we have a level of paranoia that assumes everyone wishes to bring harm into our “zone.”
There is a term that has become very familiar to all of us, and it is also one we do not usually enjoy hearing. That term is, “the brevity of life.” Life is incredibly short, and God expects us to live it in a way that shows others that we are grateful for every moment we have.
Choose today to use what remains of your life to bring joy into the lives of others. Doing that one thing alone will also bring joy into your own.