When HaShem laid this on my heart, I knew I had to share it with all of you. This message is a timely one for so many people. I am broken right now, weak in spirit and physically and emotionally drained, without focus, but yet that is right where I need to be so that Yeshua, my unconditionally loving, persistent Bridegroom, can repair me, strengthen me, and guide me the way HE wants to, not the way my fears or excuses do.
Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see Elohim…
Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Regardless of how others treat us, we are to try to have peaceful relationships with them. In the beatitudes, Yeshua—the Prince of Peace—said that those who are peacemakers will be called the children of Yah (Matthew 5:9).
Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
James 3:17-18
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
The opposite of conceit and selfishness is humility. Humility is necessary to properly deal with difficult people. We want others to be patient with our shortcomings, and we should be patient with theirs. When we strive to make peace, we are exercising humility, but the opposite is true and we are operating out of a spirit of pride if we refuse to deal with them or make peace with them.
Matthew 5:41
“And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.”
Philippians 2:3-4
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Yeshua said we are to go the “second mile” if that is what it takes to have peace. We show wisdom, not weakness, when we are willing to yield to others. When Avraham and Lot had to separate and pick between two different lands, Avraham let Lot choose. In all fairness, Avraham should have had first choice, but he wanted a peaceful relationship. Even though Lot chose the more lush land, Avraham knew IN FAITH that Elohim would bless him wherever he went (Genesis 13:6-11).
If a problem does arise, instead of letting that problem continue to escalate, we are to try to make peace. We need to do this privately, one on one, and approach this difficult person with humility, not an attitude of self-righteousness that says “I am right and you are utterly wrong and I am going to prove it”. Addressing the problem early on in humility and with kindness and understanding can prevent worse problems later.
Proverbs 22:3
A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.
Proverbs 17:27-28
He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.
Whenever possible, we should try to avoid confrontations. If we have to be present, then we should say as few words as possible. And the last thing we need to do is provoke someone and rile them up more if the situation is already escalated. Even Yeshua walked away from situations that were getting out of hand (Mark 3:6-7).
Matthew 5:43-48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Even though it is against our human nature, Elohim says to pray for those who use us. If people are continually asking us for help, Yah says to help. If we feel they are abusing us, we need to put the situation in His hands and let Him work it out.
Proverbs 26:4-5
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Some people have their mind made up that their opinion is right, regardless of what anyone else says. With these people it is best not to continue the discussion (verse 4). Others like to make themselves look superior by making detrimental comments about someone else. With these people, a polite answer that shows their error is appropriate (verse 5).
For example, certain individuals brought a woman caught in adultery to Yeshua stating that she should be stoned as the law says. Their only motive was to see what Messiah would say; they didn’t care about the woman. So Yeshua politely told them that those present who had never made bad mistakes should cast the first stone. This answer peacefully and immediately silenced their accusation and dispersed an angry crowd (John 8:3-9). When someone is loud and angry, answering in a soft tone usually quiets things down. When someone answers in a loud tone, the anger only escalates and the situation worsens.
Psalm 119:165
Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.
Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please Elohim, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Following G-d’s Law is the key to peace. When we live by His ways, we learn the way to peace. Living His ways doesn’t mean all people will like who we are, but they will like what we are—peacemakers! He wants us to be peacemakers. By striving toward peace—not conflict—we can handle difficult people. Even difficult people like to be treated well, and that’s why treating them with the respect and concern with which we want to be treated helps make peace. And learning more about Elohim’s Law will help us with our relationships with all people.
Matthew 5:7-9
How blessed are those who show mercy! for they will be shown mercy. How blessed are the pure in heart! for they will see G-d. How blessed are those who make peace! for they will be called sons of Elohim.
Soulful Sojourner 