Let There Be Peace In America This July 4th
When our Founding Fathers spent weeks drafting the Declaration of Independence, they ignited a war to secure America’s freedom from Britain’s control. In an interesting twist, the process of creating this groundbreaking document also laid the foundation for a more peaceful society for the new nation.
How can we integrate this core value of peace into our relationships today?
Think back to the last time you and someone else were at war with each other. Remember how upset both of you felt when you desperately wanted to be heard? Yet your anger, along with your convictions that you were right, affected your hearing.
Instead of listening to each other, you spoke harsh words. Angry words. Regrettable words. Before you realized it, you both had said far more than you intended to. Far more than you should have.
When we carelessly vent our feelings, we may feel better in the short term, but when the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, we feel worse than ever.
Psalm 139:23-24 (AMPC) are excellent verses to help us gain the right perspective.
Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
What would happen if each of us invited God to examine our heart and ways? And then listened for Him to speak words of wisdom, discernment and love into our hearts?
Praying and obeying this week’s passage will help us reflect the same unconditional love we receive from God toward the person with whom we’re in conflict, even when we’re not “feeling the love” from them. More importantly, it will help us see our own actions more clearly.
Which relationships in your life would benefit from praying these verses?
Since we can’t change the other person (but don’t we always want to?), we can benefit from asking God to show us where we’re wrong, reveal our own faults, and point out the areas we need to change.
As challenging as this may be, we must choose (I emphasize “choose”) to do so if we want to have God-honoring relationships. As we commit to seeing each other – and ourselves – through Jesus’ eyes, consider how this would transform our marriages and families. Think how it would change our communities, including our churches.
Imagine a July 4th in America without any wars.
I pray that we’ll refuse to let conflict disrupt our personal relationships or divide us as a nation. This July 4th, and every day thereafter, let’s see and love others the same way God sees and loves them.
To borrow from a classic song, Let there be peace in America. And let it begin with me.
What about you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Your comment might also benefit others.)
- Do you prefer to run away from conflict rather than deal with it?
- How would it change you and your relationships if, rather than focusing on the other person’s faults, you invited God to examine your heart and ways?
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I pray that we’ll refuse to let conflict disrupt our personal relationships or divide us as a nation.
I pray that July 4th will be celebrated the way it’s meant to be in a safe and respectful way.
May the Lord be present in each and every one of our lives.
We all need to focus on choosing the right path!
Amen!! My prayer, too, Sandra.
Thank you so much for dropping by Today Can Be Different. I always love it when you do!
To borrow from a classic song, Let there be peace in America. And let it begin with me.
When God convicts our hearts of sin and we ask for forgiveness, He not only changes us, but those around us, because when He softens our hearts those close to us are affected, as well. We can’t change others, but God can! “I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:10. “Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. / Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.” Psalm 25:4-5. Thanks Sheryl!
Amen, Kim!! I love God’s ways. I love His mercy. I love His wisdom – and His sovereignty.
I love everything about Almighty God, especially the way He convicts us of our sins. AND how He continues the work He has begun in us.