If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.
Time and time again Christ reminds me that he is my reputations protector and that I can’t control how people feel about me. There comes a point where obedience to Christ must come before pleasing men.
It is hard for me to swallow this… I hate to fail people or to have them feel I failed them, especially when I love them so much… I have learned pleasing people often becomes dangerously close to an idol in my life… and I need to put Christ ahead of that too! I also know this will be a process for me but if I really love others I will never again put their relationship with me ahead of my Lord, for their sake and for mine…
Even today the above verse came to mind as a wound threatened to burst.
I used to see it as a further reminder that I must be doing something wrong because there are some who just aren’t happy with me but then my man reminded me about the ‘as much as in you lieth.’ I see that if I find peace with people that is what lies with me…to find the peace and hold onto it. Even if their anger remains I can’t control it but instead must love that person enough to take it all to the feet of Christ for I can trust my friend in his care… May my sorrow at the remaining anger not affect my response to them when they in turn find Jesus Christ’s healing. Love hopes.TTFN
