“Peace, peace”, they say,
when there is no peace.” Jer. 6:14
Genuine peace is characterized by harmony and order, not
chaos and confusion. Counterfeit peace appears to have an air of harmony, but
beneath the surface, a discordant spirit “reigns”. (E.g.: life with a
rebellious teenager or raging alcoholic)
So how does one establish true
peace where there is no true peace?
Personal example: In our extended family, as with
many of you, there’s a person who has a sizeable addiction. When living in
close proximity with this person, some of our extended family members choose to
ignore destructive behaviors and pursue “peace” at all costs.
Not us.
Contrary to what’s cool and acceptable with extended family,
our family makes conscious choices to
pursue harmony and order, not counterfeit “peace”.
How? 6 basic steps:
- We focus on our personal walk and get our personal selves right with God, the Author of Peace.
- We avail ourselves to continual personal change, growth and maturity in the Lord by abiding in Him and humbly obeying His promptings.
- We set healthy expectations and boundaries, and adhere to them.
- We speak truth in love (only as God directs).
- We stay accountable/in fellowship with at least one other mature believer.
- We PRAY fervently, and leave potential fallout in God’s hands.
This kind of battle is primarily
won on our knees. God tells us that when
we live with a person with an addiction, we are “living in the midst of deception, because in their deceit they refuse
to acknowledge Me." (Jer.9:6)
And God encourages those of us who live in deceptive
atmospheres with this: His light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive,
so walk in the light of the LORD and He will shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death, and guide our feet into the path of peace. (Prv. 20:27; Is. 2:5; Lk. 1:79)
Praise our Lord!
Much love this week,
Shaun and Betsy
