Peace and Love

 

Sometimes, in this world, it is hard to have Peace and spread Love.  It seems we are so divided and sadly, hate is everywhere.  I know that sometimes hate is in my heart and I don't like it.  God doesn't call us to hate, he calls us to love.  I really struggle with that sometimes and I guess we all do.  

In John 15:12, Jesus says "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you".  Wouldn't it be great if everyone did that? The sad truth is...there are not enough people that follow Jesus' teaching or his examples and when they don't that reflects on the world and reflects on us and on me.  When I encounter people that don't follow Christian teachings, then I can forget that I am so supposed to love them because frankly, they aren't that lovable in my eyes...but regardless, we are called to Love.

In Galatians 5:22-23, we find a list of Fruit of the Spirit, which two of those are Peace & Love.

Other Fruits of the Spirit are:

Peace: Inner tranquility, even amidst trials.

Love: Unconditional affection and care.

Joy: Deep, lasting gladness.

Patience/Forbearance: Endurance, not retaliating when wronged.

Kindness: Benevolence and generosity.

Goodness: Moral and ethical excellence.

Faithfulness: Loyalty, reliability, and trustworthiness.

Gentleness: Mildness, humility, and consideration.

Self-Control: Discipline over one's desires and actions 

I think I really need to work on the Self-Control part and if I do, I will probably have more Peace and Love.  I've been working on that...trying to control my reactions to social media especially is tough.  I want to say things to set people straight (in my eyes) or agree with people (when they may be saying ugly things).  So I need to have more self control to (a) not look at that stuff and (b) avoid saying every thought that comes mind if I do look at it.

I think the Lord would be pretty sad at what the World has become, so much hate, so much violence, so much division all around the World.  All we can do is control ourselves and I pray and will try to do the right, I will try to do what brings Peace, Love, Kindness and Goodness.

I'm reminded of Romans 7:19
For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 

This is my prayer..that I do the good and not the evil.