Peace in the Family
There are times when peace in our lives may seem to hang by a fragile thread, especially when it comes to family situations. But peace is one of the most important factors in binding us together, and it's possible to pray for a more permanent peace among family members.
Peace is something that comes from God, who is totally good, and peace is always present with us. This is because God is always present with His creation. Peace is forever with us because God reigns supreme here and everywhere. It is natural to desire peace and to feel it in our lives.
Christ Jesus, who established Christianity, showed the world that peace lies in the power of God. And the Apostle Paul, who was a follower of Jesus, said to the people in Corinth, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. . . . Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you" (II Corinthians 13:5, 11).
At one point in my life, I needed to understand this better. There had been a lot of inharmony and unhappiness in my family. I longed for peace.
One day, after a particularly difficult family situation had arisen, I went outside for a walk. I noticed the peaceful atmosphere of trees, birds, and sunshine. I turned to God in prayer, seeking to feel more of His peace in my heart. An answer to this prayer came quickly-I was struck with the thought that peace is a law of God.
I realized that something that is a law of God must have the power of God behind it. It must be unopposable because God reigns supreme. It must relate to all creation because God is the infinite creator of all, who governs His entire kingdom. Furthermore, a law of God must have the power of God behind it because it is His. The Bible speaks of the nature of God, showing Him to be a loving creator who expresses lovingkindness to His creation. God is unchanging good, and there is no variableness in the truth of His laws.
Pondering God's nature further, I saw that His law is not just peaceful, it is also loving. It must establish lovingkindness because it is of God, who the Bible says is Love itself (see I John 4:16). God is also Truth, and His law of peace must likewise be actual and real. I had learned that we can see God as infinite Truth and Love from my study of Christian Science. Discovered by Mary Baker Eddy in 1866, Christian Science is the Science of Christianity.
The result of that walk in the sunshine-and the prayer that accompanied it-was to be expected. I returned to a much more peaceful household. And it has remained so. That is not to say we haven't faced challenges to peace in the family since then. But I have kept on doing what I learned to do that day-to recognize the peace of God as covering the whole situation with His mighty governing law of goodness and lovingkindness. This restores peace.
In the middle of stormy, thunderous family discord, each family member has a refuge. It is in the recognition that peace is a law of God, ever present and all-powerful. Regardless of the actions of others, no one is or can be separated from the power of this law or of its government in his or her life.
Everyone in your family is a loved child of God. God watches over His children. You can find healing by understanding that He guides each one in such a way that no child need ever be in conflict with another.
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures is the textbook of Christian Science, written by Mary Baker Eddy in 1875. It says, "Man is the family name for all ideas,-the sons and daughters of God. All that God imparts moves in accord with Him, reflecting goodness and power" (p. 515). This describes a mighty law of peace, one that binds a family together.
Thus saith the Lord,
the God of David thy father,
I have heard thy prayer,
I have seen thy tears:
behold, I will heal thee.
II Kings 20:5
