The Fruit of the Spirit is best as a fruit salad…a delicious blend of all the fruit. But if I could only have one fruit, I would have to choose peace. If you have peace with God, knowing that you are right spiritually, that brings blessed assurance. You know that your eternity is sure and that you are in a good relationship with God. If you have peace with your circumstances, you can weather whatever comes your way and not lose sleep at night. Just think about no stress, no worry, no nagging thoughts. Then if you have peace in your relationships, you are a winner at home, at work, in your community, at church, everywhere. No tensions with mom and dad, your spouse, children, boss, co-workers, etc., etc….perfect harmony. Doesn’t that sound incredible and amazing! And just think if you could have perfect peace, then it would be a lot easier to have all the other Fruit of the Spirit. Being loving, joyful, patient, kind, good, gentle, self-controlled and faithful would not be such a struggle if you had perfect peace in every area of life. Yes, Lord, I choose peace!

Scripture
Ps 119:165; Is 26:3; Mt 5:23-24; 10:29-31; Jn 14:27, 15:8; Ro 5:1, 8:6, 12:18; 2 Co 5:17-18; Gal 5:22-23; Eph 4:29; Phil 2:4, 4:6-7; Js 3:17;

Verse
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…. (Gal 5:22-23) My father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples. (Jn 15:8) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (Jn 14:27)

Thought
Jesus offers us peace that surpasses anything we can comprehend. In order to claim and hold onto His peace, we need to be particularly mindful of our role in the process. First, spiritual peace comes when we confess our sins and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. He makes us right with God. There is no spiritual turmoil when we are in an ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ. Next, we can have personal peace by fully trusting God. This is the peace that Christ brings to every day situations that would otherwise set us on full tilt. When everything around us is in a state of utter chaos, we can stand in the middle of it all and still experience peace. This peace comes by trusting God’s love for us and His plan. He sees every sparrow that falls. Nothing escapes His watchful care. Whatever situation you may be in, he holds it securely in His hands and He holds tomorrow. When you place control in God’s hands and stop trying to control things on your own, peace washes over you. We can also experience relational peace when we are pro-active in maintaining positive relationships and are quick to reconcile when there is conflict. God calls us to go to anyone who has ill will towards us and also to the person against whom we have divisive feelings. (Matt 5:23-24) Recognize that reconciliation can happen without resolving the situation. Sometimes we must agree to disagree, but disagree without being disagreeable. Make sure your words build up the other person (Eph 4:29). Don’t blame, excuse, compare, interrupt or threaten. When we do our part, God will do His part above and beyond what we can imagine.

Questions
Right now, what Fruit of the Spirit do you most need in your life? Why? Is anything robbing you of your peace? Share your struggle. Do you find it easier to have spiritual, personal or relational peace? Why? Describe a time when you went to someone to reconcile? Describe a time when someone came to you to reconcile? How did you respond? Have you ever tried to reconcile with someone who refuses to talk or participate? Read Romans 12:8. How do you reconcile within yourself when someone refuses to talk with you or allow you to say what you need to say?

Response
Ask God to bring to mind anyone with whom you need to reconcile. Seek His guidance and follow his command by going to them. Be aware when conflict arises and take the initiative. Deal with it before it grows a bitter root.

Prayer
Father in Heaven, thank you for bringing me into a right relationship with you through Christ. Help me to extend your grace to those around me and to be an example so that they might also be reconciled to you. Melt away my selfish pride and help me to yield control to you in each and every situation so that I can experience the unparalleled peace that only you can give. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.