Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)
Ah, peace. What a delightful word. However, I am reminded that there is genuine peace; and, there is faux peace which satan shines an elusive light on. I refer to it as elusive; because, it’s not of God; and, lasts as a vapor. Ultimately, it always results in disappointment and zero peace.
This is not to say that God will never take from us something He has gifted us with. However, in due time, we learn that the taking away of something or someone, was to give us something better; or, to teach the lesson that the only thing in this life which is secure, is trusting Him.
I’m reminded of Job. We would all do well to have a Job kind of peace and holiness. Chaos was all around, as satan tried to break through the "hedge of protection" God put around him. His friends doubted him, his health was attacked severely, he lost all of his children in a swoop; and his wife tried to get him to deny his faith in God. However, in all of these things Job maintained a faith which satan couldn't shatter (Job 1:8, Job 1: 13-22, Job 2:9).
But, to stay on topic, Hebrews 12:14 is about following the path of peace with all men. This is more difficult than it sounds; because, some people are hell-bent on squashing whatever peace comes their way. Their resistance to peace has at its root a bitterness, often born from life circumstances; seen and unseen, raw and scabbed over. This is all the more reason to show the love of Jesus by not acting in tandem. Christ followers are taught to choose peace as much as it is possible to do so (Romans 12:18).
To operate in holiness means we are to discipline ourselves in even the most stressful of times to keep a peaceful tone with others; and, do as Jesus would in times such as this. For to operate in anger, impatience, judgment and the likes deprives those who are seeking the Lord, a Divine opportunity via the Holy Spirit, to see the Lord for Who He is.
Christians are to be beacons of light on even the darkest of days. Trust me, I am very aware of the human factor; and, how sometimes prayer is all we have when everyone and everything around seems to be making satan gleefully happy.
But, I have to emphasize, that it is especially these times when we should maintain peace; and persist in ways that douse heated words, so that those who we least think are watching, may gain an opportunity to see the Lord, via the Spirit, living and breathing inside the saints of God. Jesus used many occasions to demonstrate the discipline of bridling His tongue when lashing out would have been the natural response (James 1:26).
Stay mindful that hurting people do and say hurtful things. Perhaps, you are that individual who will bring them to the question of Who this Jesus is which the entire world speaks of.
Peace.