Pursuing Peace!

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For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 1 Thess 5:3 

Peace, just the sound of the word invokes a sigh of relief and visions of the wind rustling through a flower-laden prairie or gentle waves lapping on a white shore.  Peace in the world, peace in your home, your relationships, and more importantly, in your heart is something everyone strives for, whether they believe in God or not.

Yet how can anyone have peace without living the life their Creator created them to live? If I fashioned a clay pot into a vase but the vase ran away from my home and tried to be a spoon somewhere, would the vase be happy? Wouldn't it instead be frustrated? disillusioned? Wouldn't it begin to wonder why life was so hard and what the purpose of it all was?  (I know it's a silly illustration but it's so true!) 

I was struck by the extended Greek definition of peace I found in my Amplified Bible here in 1 Peter 3:11

Let him search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) 

Just think about that for a minute. Complete Harmony. No fears, No agitating thoughts, desires, or feelings, and no moral conflicts!  Now, that's peace!!

I don't know about you, but my life cannot be described like that. I'm closer than I was 10 years ago, but I long for this kind of peace.  So, where can we find peace?  True peace can only be found in God. It is the fruit of our relationship with Him. It comes from our day by day walk with Him, talking with Him, laying our cares at His feet, learning to trust Him. 

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:6

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7  NKJ

But did you know that we should Pursue Peace?  The definition of pursue is  to follow in order to overtake, capture; to strive to gain; seek to attain or accomplish; to chase! 

Let him turn away from wickedness and shun it, and let him do right. Let him search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) and seek it eagerly. [Do not merely desire peaceful relations with God, with your fellowmen, and with yourself, but pursue, go after them!]

1 Peter 3:11 Amplified 

In other words, don't just wish for peace or long for it. Go out and get it!!  Sail after it! Chase peace down until it is yours. How do you do this?

• You do the things that attract the object of your desire (Peace loves joy, righteousness, kindness, goodness, self control, gentleness.. )
• In every confrontation, you look for the peaceful solution, even if it means you don't win. 
• You apologize first
• You approach everyone with an attitude of humility
• You are quick to listen and slow to talk
• You put others ahead of yourself
• You spend time with God every day (pray without ceasing!  and listen for His voice!)  
• You guard your tongue for it can set forests aflame! 

Can you think of other things you can do to pursue peace??