Joyce Meyer

We’re instructed to be peacemakers

Can you think of a time when you had an ongoing issue with someone in your life? Then, just when you thought you couldn’t take another minute, God asked you to hang in there one more time and not give up?

Maybe you’ve thought, God, I have held my tongue and kept a good attitude with this person so many times, and now you want me to play the peacemaker again? This is just too much to ask!

God calls each one of us to be an instrument of his peace. Many times this means being the first to ask forgiveness or sticking with someone who has tried our patience over and over again.

These situations are perfect opportunities God will use to build our character, because he can use other people to be the ‘sandpaper’ that smooths down the rough edges in our personality.

You’re probably familiar with Matthew 18:21-22. Peter asked Jesus how many times he had to forgive someone who sinned against him. I’m sure he thought he was being generous when he said, “Up to seven times?” But Jesus answered Peter by saying, “Not up to seven times, but seventy times seven.”