Peace: Family, Friends and EnemiesSample

Welcome to day #3 in creating peace with your family, friends, and enemies during the holidays.

Let me share a quick story.

“In ancient times, a king had his men place a boulder on a roadway. He then hid in the bushes and watched to see if anyone would move the boulder out of the way.

Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers passed by and simply walked around it.

Many people blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none of them did anything about getting the stone removed.

One day, a peasant came along carrying vegetables.

Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to push the stone out of the way. After much pushing and straining, he finally managed.

After the peasant went back to pick up his vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been.

The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King explaining that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the road.”

Imagine that, receiving a reward simply for removing a roadblock.

The #5 thing you must do to live and create a peaceful environment during the holidays with family members, friends, and enemies is to review your inner dialogue about them and remove those roadblocks.

If you find any anger, resentment, or bitterness toward family members, friends, or enemies, you will continue to act out in those ways. These are major roadblocks.

This is what is holding you back.

Just like the story above, these roadblocks may feel impossible to move, but you must remember they are filled with treasure.

The rewards of peace, love, and joy are right underneath those roadblocks.

The scriptures tell us in Ephesians 4:31-32, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

This verse in Matthew is a great challenge to see the good or the God in others. You are blessed when you do this.

The #6 thing you must do to live and create a peaceful environment during the holidays with family members, friends, and your enemies is to act as if.

What do I mean by that?

This is a faith challenge. Hebrews 11:1 says, “that faith is the substance (assurance) of things hoped for, it’s the evidence of things unseen.”

A translation of this verse likens faith to already possessing what you are believing for. It is acting and feeling as if you already have it. That is faith.

Think about what it would feel like to have all the peace you need for your family, friends, and enemies.

How would you behave?

What would you talk like?

Imagine the feeling of zero anxiety or worries.

Imagine the feeling of total bliss and joy with your family and in social settings.

When you connect to the source, you have all the faith you need, which results in all the peace, love, joy, and patience you need in every situation.

What is blocking you from believing this is possible?

What is blocking your faith?

Who is blocking your faith?

When will you give this situation over to the Lord?

What if now is the time for you to let this go?

Take some time now to reflect on what the Holy Spirit is saying to you.

Don’t feel the need to rush through and get somewhere.

I created this moment for you and God.

Stay in His presence.

He has the answers for you.

I’m rooting for you.

I’m praying with you.

God bless.

Coach Anthony Thompson