Building up and Becoming Peacemakers

As I consider the age-old issue and sin of sibling rivalry, I recognize that my responsibility as a parent is to help them surrender and conquer this temptation. I understand there is a time for war as it reads in Ecclesiastes but there is also a time for peace.

And Christ said we are to love one another and to love as He loved. If we consider when He fought out, it was against the temple establishment who had made His Father's house into a marketplace. But when it came to His ego, he died to self.

In Matthew 5:9 we read, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." But how do we build up and become peacemakers? As parents we are pressed to meet up to the challenge of modeling, teaching, and expecting such heart changes. In an article by Ken Sande he refers to 12 principles that children need to learn in order to be peacemakers. The first six are summarized below.

1. Conflict is a slippery slope. Are we allowing them to respond to conflict by escaping or attacking, when we should be modeling, teaching, and expecting how to work-out conflict?
Working-out conflict requires overlooking an offense, talking it out, or getting help.
When we don't take the time to work out the conflict, I wonder if it is another demonstration of our pride.

2. Conflict starts in the heart. Acting wise or foolish, caring or unloving is a choice made by the person. We are created with the option to pause and think before we respond.

3. Choices have consequences. Bad choices lead to consequences and often to conflict.

4. Wise-way choices are better than my-way choices. Obeying authority, making right choices, seeking Godly advice, and respecting others, though the narrow path, leads to righteousness.

5. The Blame Game makes conflict worse. Try it and find that blaming others, pointing the finger causes others to distrust you. Be brave! Admit when you're wrong and dust off your feet when others are wrong. Move on!

6. Conflict is an opportunity to glorify God, serve others, and grow to be more like Christ.
When conflicts occur pull back and ask yourself if you're taking advantage of the opportunity to the fullest.

Whether we are working out conflicts, recognizing that causing conflict is a choice, understanding bad choices instigate consequences and conflict; obeying, choosing, seeking, and respecting reduce conflict; confessing or surrendering; glorifying God, serving others, or growing to be more like Christ we can all be blessed when we strive to be peacemakers.