Keeping the Peace

This past Sunday, we started a series both in Sunday School and in our Sunday morning service. The series is called "The Peacemaking Church." Through this series, we hope to learn how to promote peace both inside and outside of the church. One of the foundational truths of that series is found in a small verse in our reading today. Proverbs 12:16 says: "A fool shows his annoyance at one, but a prudent man overlooks an insult" (NIV). I think we all need to do a better job of following the truth of this verse. We need to learn not to take every offhand comment and every poorly worded remark so seriously. And even when the intent is there, we need to follow the example of Jesus. " To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:21-23, NIV). We have all said unkind words to others that we didn't really mean. In doing so, we have hoped for the forbearance of others. We need to extend that same courtesy to those who hurt us.