Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Me: Lord God, how do I go about making peace?
By example? By words of encouragement?
By being first to drop the argument?
By praying?
God: Yes.
Vegetius’ axiom ‘Si vis pacem, para bellum’ would seem to work, too. Well, in my experience.
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” . . . “Peace! Do not be afraid” (Judges 6:12, 23).
Warrior and peace, all in the same encounter. In the Bible.