Happy Formula

What do you think of when you hear the term, “peacemaker?”

I think of  a person who avoids conflict and tries hard to keep harmony within a group. You might even go so far as to think of them as people-pleasers.

Is that a weakness?

Are you now thinking “doormat?” It wouldn’t surprise me. Society doesn’t send many messages about being peacekeepers.

But, in the beatitudes, Christ said:

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God  

Matt 5:9 (NIV).

Let’s remind ourselves of two things:

1) Blessed in these verses means “happy.”

2) The scripture preceeding this verse reads, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Might we put these two beatitudes together and get:

Pure heart toward God  + Peaceful attitude toward men  =  Formula for Happy Person

If the point of being peaceful toward men is to glorify God, then I think the doormat image tends to disappear. It shifts motive from self to God. From fear to strength.

Someone who’s not afraid to stand for God and his word, but prefers peace over drama whenever possible — that sounds strong to me.

It takes strength to stand for God’s rights and strength to choose peace over confrontation when it’s only my “rights” at stake.

What do you say? What situations are the hardest to be peacemakers? Or when is it necessary to stand up for God even when it displeases people around you?