What does it mean to be a peacemaker?
We might struggle to answer this because the world we live in can be so contrary to what we believe peace is. But to really know how to be one, we need to first understand what peace itself means.
Peace isn’t just a riot that echoes from the 70’s or a word you see splattered across inspirational shirts; true peace is essential to our contentment, happiness, how we react and treat others… and ourselves! Humans without peace will only feel unsettled, anxious and tormented by fear.
How we experience peace is through a sense of wellbeing and wholesomeness in all aspects of our lives. Peace can bring about freedom from disturbance and mental or emotional calmness. It can also help us to feel harmonious, joyful and at ease with life, despite circumstances we may find ourselves in.
Peace sounds like a friend we all need to have, right?
Well I thought so too, and decided a while ago that I needed to be-friend Peace when I noticed that a part of me thrived off drama. Whether it was partaking in a bit of gossip here and there or stirring the pot by causing some myself. It was a very toxic and unhealthy habit, which lead me to the revelation that; all drama that I allowed to enter my life, would only end up reflecting bitterness that I had in my own heart.
It had to be unwired from the cords that made up my life because every time I would be involved in drama, big or small, it would whittle the goodness in my own character and integrity… no-one else’s! And no person in his or her right mind would want that to happen!
So, here are the top 5 ways that helped me to unwire drama and rewire peace in my life:
Patience:Instead of becoming frustrated with people whose personalities grinded my gears I decided to adopt a peacemaker approach. We are all so different and each have our own reasons for why we act the way we do. I am not perfect, and I am certain that I frustrate people at times too. So in order to change, I had to show that same grace that others do with me. What you sow, you reap after all.
Self-control:Learning to watch my tongue and “think before I speak” is something my folks have always tried to instill in me. Being a bit of a free spirit, I tend to forget my filter in social situations. Whoops. But, if I wanted to befriend peacefulness, I had to make a positive change. Practicing a little self-control in discerning what and when to open my mouth was a good way to start. As well as making the executive decision to stop pointless gossip leaving my mouth and passing unfruitful judgment onto others – even toward myself.
A quote that helps me to filter what I speak is… 
This small peaceful change will leave a lasting impact, and will be noticed and admired by those around you too.
Faithfulness:If I wanted that deep seeded peacefulness, I needed to devote myself to keeping a harmonious relationship within my circle of friends, family, colleagues and community. I found that serving others and putting myself second helped me greatly. It also became a little addictive because of the joy and peace that rewarded me from these acts of kindness. The small things really make a difference, whether it be smiling when I really don’t feel like it, opening the door for others and going through it last, or buying my bestie lunch, instead of splurging on things I didn’t need (I’m kind of into de-cluttering right now).
Gentleness:Finding yourself in situations or conversations that you don’t particular agree with or believe in can be quite arduous. The anti-peace maker in me would feel like approaching the situation with righteousness and fire…but what’s the point? It would only manifest into drama. I instead realised that if I wanted to communicate effectively with people, I didn’t necessarily have to agree with them, but to simply inject positivity and be gracious.
Kindness:Encouragement to others is one of the kindest things we can freely give. If I wanted to rewire and make peacefulness predominant in my character, I had to learn that my kindness needed to flow out of a place of compassion (compassion is just love in action). Encouraging others requires a level of selflessness, and from there, you will notice that even those simple efforts of compassion will change atmospheres. I saw a difference when I carried compassion confidently. How? By simply walking into a room and letting it radiate through my words, expression and gestures. Don’t be fooled, kindness and compassion hold some serious power!
Sporty sisters, I urge you to embody the peacemaker within you! When you do, you will be like a lamp that gives light to the whole room!
Seek true peace and when you find it, anxiousness will be left in its shadows and you will be standing in its rays of contentment with a fresh new perspective through your words, actions and the thoughts that you harbour.
It’s time to unwire drama and rewire peace into your life.
Which will you choose?