Making Peace

Paul is very wise in this verse. He doesn't say "there will always be peace." He says: "if it be possible, as much as lieth in you." That acknowledges a reality: peace doesn't always depend only on you. There are situations where the other person doesn't want to make peace — and you can't force it.

But what you can control is your part. You can ask yourself: am I doing what depends on me? Am I holding on to unnecessary resentment? Am I waiting for the other person to take the first step when I could take it myself? Am I feeding a fight that could be over?

Making peace isn't about winning or losing the argument. It isn't about proving you were right. It's choosing the relationship over the ego.

Sometimes making peace is a text message. Sometimes it's an apology. Sometimes it's simply no longer giving someone the cold shoulder. Sometimes it's praying for that person in silence, without them ever knowing — and letting God work on what you can't reach.

"As much as lieth in you" — that's your responsibility. The rest, hand over to God.