War and Peace

The holidays have come and gone - a bittersweet time. My husband was visiting his mother overseas, and we missed him. My mother came for an extended visit for Christmas and to help me while he was gone. My brother and his whole family also came for a week - what a full house! It's funny, the holidays are SUPPOSED to be the season of "Peace on Earth" and "Goodwill Toward Men" but so many of us end up stressed, exhausted and empty. I was determined to not feel that way. I was determined to be joyful and set my mind on things above.

Guess what? It worked! Unfortunately my brother's family came very needy with a sick mommy and a stressed-out daddy and two kids who were ready to go! I cooked, cleaned, was a nurse, a babysitter, and a counselor. I had to rely on God to keep the ship afloat and keep the peace. I wanted that peace, not only for myself, but to really set an example of what a Christlike home FEELS like: calm, loving, restful, kind, willing...things they do not see and feel on a regular basis.

So, why is it so hard to feel and live these things with my spouse sometimes? I realized while he was gone that I have been expecting the peace to just BE there, as if it's the natural state. God reminded me just before he got home that, in fact, WAR IS THE NATURAL STATE! War within ourselves, the spiritual war waged full-time all around us, war among the nations. Wow, I had been fighting the wrong war.

God tells us in 1 Peter 3:11 that whoever would live a good life must "seek peace and pursue it." It's an intentional thing. It's a mindset. It comes from submitting to God and "keeping in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25). It also comes from a desire. I pursue what I desire. My husband is my best friend. I desire a peaceful home and relationship with him.

If war is all around me, then I must choose my battles wisely. I am grateful for the time to think and realize these things while he was gone. Now I know what armor to wear so I can fight the battle and win!!