When Karly vented her feelings about a nasty co-worker, David smoothed the waters with understanding words, encouraging her to keep to the high road.

He complimented her on her courage in speaking up against wrong and prayed with her. His example calmed Karly’s turbulent heart and helped her to see herself and her co-worker in a new light. David was a peacemaker.

A new couple moved into a house. The prior occupants had neglected the property and turned the neighbors against them, and the new family was suspected of being similarly inclined. But the Dennis family was different. They cleaned up the garbage pile, mowed the weeds, trimmed the hedges, and planted a flower garden. Next, they offered to help install a gutter on their elderly neighbors’ house next door. Soon, the whole neighborhood had changed their attitude towards the Dennis family. They were peacemakers.

A husband and wife disagreed vehemently on a matter. Rather than continuing to argue about it, the wife offered to let it go until they could talk about it rationally. She was a peacemaker.

Whenever we step into a difficult situation with kindness, seeking to bring about understanding, forgiveness, or reconciliation, we become peacemakers. No matter the outcome, our prayerful and appropriate behavior in challenging spots can bring a blessing to us, as well as to others.