It seems like there are far more peace takers than peacemakers in our world today. Some homes seem more like war zones than safe havens.

Many households are characterized by conflict, tension and strife. Since the fall of man, relationships have been challenging, if not downright difficult. Have you noticed? I suspect that you have. These tensions are a result of living in a sinful world.

But even though these relationships are sometimes difficult, they are worth the effort and with God’s help we can overcome the dysfunction in these relationships.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

This is about more than the absence of turmoil in your home or family. It is not just about living a life that is free of conflict. As long as there is more than one person in your family, there always will be potential for conflict. But even in the midst of conflict, even in the midst of turmoil, God can enable us to experience his peace.

The people who heard Jesus speak the words, “Blessed are the peacemakers” would have understood this to be a very countercultural statement. The people listening to his message that day were people who had been raised with a retaliation mindset. They were taught “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”

Someone hits you, you hit them back. Someone steals something from you, you take something from them. Then here comes Jesus saying, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

Notice Jesus did not say, “Blessed are the peacekeepers.”

There’s a big difference. Peacekeepers often avoid conflict at all costs. They will do whatever they have to do to keep the peace. On the other hand, a peacemaker will embrace conflict to restore the peace.

The Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, can help us work on and work through any and every issue that could be a source of conflict in our family’s life. With God’s help, peace is a possibility.

During the next couple of weeks, we’ll discover what God’s word says about peace. Our world needs more peace today.

The evidence on the news every night is a reminder that our nation needs to experience more peace. We need his peace in our homes and in our families. I am a firm believer peace is a possibility.

Steve Greene is the lead pastor at The Point in Seymour. You can email him at [email protected].