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February 23, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n Make Peace Today<\/strong><\/span> Lee en espa\u00f1ol<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBlessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.\u201d Matthew 5:9 (CSB)<\/em><\/p>\n I imagine one of the hardest things for any of us to do is extend an olive branch \u2014 to go and make peace with someone. It\u2019s not easy to be the first one to say \u201cI\u2019m wrong\u201d or \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u201d or \u201cplease forgive me.\u201d It\u2019s not easy being the first one to overlook an offense, the first one to go out of our way not to keep a false sense of peace but instead truly seek peace.<\/p>\n But as difficult as it may be, it\u2019s what God wants us to do.<\/p>\n Jesus tells us, \u201cBlessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 5:9). Notice that Jesus did not say \u201cblessed are the peacekeepers\u201d or \u201cconflict avoiders.\u201d Pastor and author Rick Ezell writes, \u201cJesus did not say \u2018blessed are the peace wishers or the peace hopers or the peace dreamers or the peace lovers or the peace talkers.\u2019\u201d No. Jesus said, \u201cBlessed are the peacemakers.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Pastor Ezell also says being a peacemaker means being someone \u201cwho is actively seeking to reconcile people to God and to one another.\u201d In fact, \u201cthe word make<\/em> in the term \u2018peacemaker\u2019 comes from the Greek verb that means \u2018to do\u2019 \u2026 It is a word bursting with energy.\u201d<\/p>\n This shows us two things:<\/p>\n First, being a peacemaker is not a passive behavior based on an easygoing personality or temperament. Instead, it\u2019s solely based on who we are in Christ. Being a peacemaker reflects our identity and character as children of God. And when we extend an olive branch to someone to proactively make peace, there\u2019s a blessing that comes with it. Remember that Jesus said, \u201cBlessed<\/strong> are the peacemakers\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 5:9, emphasis added).<\/p>\n Second, because we\u2019re children of God, we have been reconciled to God and called to a ministry of reconciliation. It\u2019s from this ministry God has given us that we actively seek to reconcile people to Him and to one another. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, \u201cEverything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.\u00a0That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us\u201d<\/em> (CSB).<\/p>\n What love God has for us that He entrusted to us the message of reconciliation! He trusts us to go about doing all we can to make peace and bring reconciliation into every relationship where we have influence \u2014 particularly when we\u2019re challenged to be the first to say, \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me.\u201d<\/p>\n God, please help me to be a true peacemaker. Help me to be quick to apologize, take accountability for my wrongdoing, and ask for forgiveness. Help me minister reconciliation. And help me overlook offenses more easily. In Jesus\u2019 Name, Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n When life feels overwhelming, Christine Caine\u2019s new book The Faith to Flourish<\/em> offers a grounded, hope-filled reminder that you can stay rooted in God in every season. Drawing from the resilience of the olive tree in Psalm 52:8, Christine shares biblical wisdom and practical steps to help you develop deep spiritual roots that endure pressure, pruning, and hardship \u2014 and still produce lasting fruit. It\u2019s time to see what God is growing beneath the surface and move from simply surviving to truly flourishing. Get your copy here.<\/p>\n Discover more biblical teaching, encouragement, and practical insights to strengthen your walk with God through sermons, stories, and Christine Caines\u2019s Equip & Empower\u00a0<\/em>podcast on her YouTube channel. Also stay connected daily by following her on Instagram @ChristineCaine.<\/p>\n Enter to WIN your very own copy of The Faith to Flourish\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>by Christine Caine. To celebrate this book, Christine\u2019s publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by filling out the form here. {We\u2019ll randomly select 5 winners and notify them via email by Monday, March 2, 2026.}<\/p>\n Matthew 5:23-24, \u201cSo if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift\u201d (CSB).<\/p>\n Romans 12:18, \u201cIf possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone\u201d (CSB).<\/p>\n How quickly do you seek to reconcile with others by saying, \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me.\u201d? How do you manage situations when others don\u2019t want to reconcile with you? We\u2019d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2026 by Christine Caine. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n Photo credit: \u00a9GettyImages\/eclipse_images<\/span><\/p>\n Proverbs 31 Ministries
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