I’ve had plenty of moments when I convinced myself that keeping quiet was the best way to keep the peace. Sometimes I didn’t want to upset someone, especially if it was my wife. Most of the time, I simply didn’t want to deal with the uncomfortable conversation that might follow.
But I’ve learned that avoiding conflict and experiencing peace are definitely not the same thing.
Sometimes what we call “keeping the peace” is really just keeping ourselves comfortable while leaving something unresolved.
Of course, not every disagreement needs to become a confrontation. There are times when choosing not to engage is genuinely wise. But peace isn’t pretending everything is okay when it isn’t. Sometimes it requires honesty, a healthy boundary, an apology, or a willingness to have a conversation we’d rather avoid.
Avoiding discomfort might make things quieter for a while. But unresolved issues have a way of showing up again, often in ways we didn’t anticipate.
Over the past several months, I’ve been challenged with this thought: Am I genuinely striving for real (albeit messy) relationships, or am I simply avoiding the discomfort of addressing what needs my attention and calling it “peace”?
With hope,
Nathan
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE
