If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.Romans 12:18
“IF it is possible”
Why does it depend on me?
I can choose peace.
Others may not choose peace with me.
Living peaceably comes pretty naturally to me.
Peaceful Phlegmatic. Introvert.
Those are words that I use to describe myself.
I cringe at the thought of not living peaceably with all men.
I don’t like confrontation…or even a little discomfort.
This is how I *try* to deal with things that could cause me to not live peaceably:
- Seek God’s counsel.
- Talk out frustrations with my husband.
- Stay quiet. Sometimes quiet to a fault.
- Think before I speak.
- Weigh my own part. Am I wrong in this?
- Talk openly with a trusted girlfriend (different from my man’s perspective).
I’m not saying that I always keep my peace, but it looks more like an internal turmoil.
I don’t always live at peace with myself.
The festering of bruised feelings.
Taking my own poison.
Smiling on the outside. Pleading with God on the inside.
“Give me back my peace! I can not do without it!”
What about peace with others though? I too often mask peace with quiet.
I’m a faker.
Wow! I just plopped that right down on the table, didn’t I?!
I fake letting things go.
I fake not having hurt feelings by telling myself to “just get over it”.
I don’t retaliate. I don’t seek vengeance. I don’t return evil for evil.
I stay quiet…
So, I now ask myself:
What does living peaceably with all men REALLY mean?
I’m linking this post to Monday Morning Meditation with Jane @ Girl Meets Paper.
Living With Sword and Coffee,
Kela