Are you trusting, supportive, and accommodating? Are you the kind of person who is always seeking harmony in your
relationships? Are you someone who can manage to be content in any situation? Is laziness your Achilles’ heel? If so, you just may be a peacemaker.

Peacemakers do not like conflict. They will gladly sacrifice their own comfort or advantage for the sake of peace in a situation. They are masters at seeing others and intuiting what others are thinking and feeling. They are easy-going, likeable, and thankful people.

What’s Great about Peacemakers

Everyone gets along with peacemakers. They often function as the glue that holds people together. When others are in conflict, peacemakers step in, often working behind the scenes, to return harmony to a situation.

They’re genuinely humble people who can see an issue from many different sides. They don’t leap to conclusions or assign
blame hastily. They are selfless and are willing to inconvenience themselves to restore harmony.

What’s more, they are content with what they have. They resonate with Paul’s statement while suffering in the Philippian jail:

Philippians 4:11-13. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Although Christians sometimes take verse 13 to be a superman verse—as if all Christians can do anything because of Christ— the original context is about remaining content in the face of uncertainty, physical discomfort, and injustice. Paul is in
prison, and he is able to endure the situation because Christ is strengthening him. This is a powerful example of how we can
maintain inner peace amid hardship.

Another text that particularly resonates with peacemakers is the famous passage about the love of money.

1 Timothy 6:6-10. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Peacemakers look around our world, and it resembles an anthill in a rainstorm. Everyone is scurrying about trying to get whatever they can, whether or not they need it, can afford it, or if they have time for it. The peacemaker looks at those working 60-hour weeks, those driving their children everywhere so that they’ll have impressive activities to put on their college applications, and those who stay out partying with friends to the wee hours of the night and say, “Why not take a break, find a comfy spot on the sofa, and just relax?” The peacemaker is not taken in by the idols of success, fortune, and fame. They know the true secret to life is to find contentedness in the simple matters of life. If you have food and clothing, why not be content?

Lastly, peacemakers are eager to resolve conflict. For example, when Abigail found out that her foolish husband, Nabal, had
insulted David and his militia, resulting in an imminent attack, she took initiative to bring peace. At great personal risk, she gathered together a massive gift of two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five prepared sheep, more than a bushel of grain, a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs. She brought this huge offering to David just as he was rallying the troops to strap on their swords and attack. Upon encountering David, she got down from her donkey, fell at his feet and said, “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt” (1 Samuel 25:24). She proceeded to stand in the gap, convincing David not to attack, and it worked! She self-sacrificially brought about salvation for her entire household. What an example!

The Downside of Peacemakers

Like any personality type, peacemakers have flaws and particular struggles unique to them. One issue is anger. Rather than
expressing anger by shouting, slamming doors, or punching walls, peacemakers refuse to externalize their rage. They stuff it deep down a hole inside them, thinking what is buried will stay buried for good. Such a strategy may even work throughout childhood and even into the early adult years, but eventually such untreated toxic waste begins to leak out and cause harm. This can result in passive aggressive behavior later in life that harms those closest to them.

Another difficulty peacemakers struggle with is laziness. Because of their excessively contented nature, it is easy for someone of this personality type to make do with whatever circumstances happen to be present. This can be a great virtue if nothing can be done to better the situation, but it turns into a vice when contentedness works against taking initiative to improve. Change is hard— especially big changes like switching jobs, finding a new place to live, or ending a bad relationship.

Lastly, peacemakers will sometimes turn passive aggressive rather than initiating conflict. A poignant example of such behavior is when Saul became suspicious of David. Rather than confronting him and hearing David’s heart of loyalty, he seethed secretly. Saul studiously avoided talking about his concerns with David. Instead, he hurled spears at him. Then, hoping David would die in battle, Saul appointed David commander of a thousand and sent him out over and over to fight. Of course, the opposite happened, and David’s prowess and fame grew with each successive victory. Still, Saul wouldn’t discuss his concerns and fears with David. Next, he gave his daughter Michal to David, thinking to himself, “Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him” (1 Sam 18:21). How terrible! Saul requested a bride price of a hundred Philistine foreskins—a bizarre request, even in ancient times, that he hoped would “make David fall by the hand of the Philistines” (1 Sam 18:25). Once again, David exceeded Saul’s request, returning home safely with two hundred Philistine foreskins. And so, it continued.
Eventually, Saul rallied the resources of his government to openly pursue David to kill him. At any stage in the saga, Saul could just have initiated a conversation with David. Instead, he obsessed, conspired, and acted wickedly—behaviors that eventually led to his own downfall.

The Gospel for Peacemakers

Kind and helpful to others, peacemakers are awesome people who truly understand and live out the value of forgiving and accepting others, often self-sacrificially. Still, it’s not so easy for them to understand God’s love for them.

If you’ve been reading this and you relate to what I’ve said so far, allow me to address you directly. The God who created and sustains the universe knows you. He sees you. He has intimate knowledge of your heart, desires, hurts, and personality. From your quirks to your quietness in a group, God gets you. He sees the role you play even when others don’t. He values your way of being in the world.

And…He loves you.

Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered” (Mat 10:29–30). The point is simple. Sparrows aren’t valuable. They’re worth half a penny each. And yet, God keeps track of them all. The hair on your head is not valuable—unless you’re balding, but let’s not get into that, and yet, God keeps track of how many are on your head. Jesus’ point is not about birds and hair; it’s about you! If God values birds and hair, how much more does He value you, someone made in His very image (Gen 1:27)?

Scripture tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His precious only Son (John 3:16). Paul wrote, “God shows his love
for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). Christ’s crucifixion means so many things, depending on how we look at it, but perhaps the most important is that it shows the Father’s immense and uncontainable love. He watched as His child, the only perfect man, suffered brutally at the hands of his enemies. As the most powerful being in the universe, God could easily have stopped the ordeal at any moment, rescuing His Son and punishing his tormenters. And yet, He didn’t. Why?

God knew that this had to happen. He knew that this horrible injustice would open a way to bring many more into His family. His motive was love.

Love.

Love for those who would benefit from His Son’s suffering and death made it worthwhile in God’s eyes. Perhaps no one better
understands this than the peacemaker. God was in conflict with much of humanity. He needed to restore harmony. He was willing to do anything to make peace. The price was high, but He paid it through His Son “to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross” (Col 1:20).

After this, God raised His Son to life, proving to everyone that this one who died was in fact the rightful heir to the throne of David (Rom 1:3-4). He now sits at God’s right hand, awaiting the day to bring about a massive transformation of our world. When he returns, Christ will address the conflicts of our world, putting an end to war forever. Isaiah put it this way:

Isaiah 2:4. He shall judge between the nations,
And shall decide disputes for many peoples;
And they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore.

In that day, peace will abound from sea to sea (Psalm 72:8). God’s lasting peace will pervade our world to such a degree that even animals will be living in harmony (Is 11:6-7). In the end, God will dwell with His people, bringing lasting comfort and wholeness. The last book of the Bible describes this Edenic future:

Revelation 21:3-4. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

What a magnificent future you can look forward to if you choose to believe this gospel message: Christ died; Christ is raised; Christ is coming again. Do you believe this simple truth about what God has done through His Son? If so, then call out to Him. Accept Jesus as both Savior and Lord. Commit to follow him as your leader.

The Challenge for Peacemakers

Spiritually healthy peacemakers can mature beyond sleepwalking through life to seeing their value and unique contributions to their world. Instead of only focusing on others, you can also learn to attend to your own needs. Scripture repeatedly encourages us to love our neighbors as ourselves. The two halves work together. If you don’t love yourself, how will you love your neighbor? Although other personality types would do well to forget themselves and focus on others, the opposite is true for you. You are always forgetting yourself. Don’t get so lost in merging with others’ needs and wants that you don’t listen to your own.

Additionally, it’s important for you to learn how to draw boundaries. Thankfully, we have so much helpful guidance in the Bible. (Check out Matthew 5-7, Romans 12, and Ephesians 5.) The key is to learn when it’s right to go with the flow and when you should go against the flow. Being cozy isn’t always righteous. Sometimes, you must do the hard things. Sometimes, you  should confront someone. Sometimes, you need to make a change. Don’t always be a passenger; take the driver’s seat sometimes. Challenge yourself and see what God does in and through you. Before concluding, I want to challenge you to meditate on this verse.

Romans 12:11. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

Ask yourself the questions, “What would it mean for me to be zealous or fervent? How can I serve the Lord with gusto? What
changes do I need to make?”

In conclusion, peacemakers are wonderful people who excel at understanding others, effortlessly practicing gratitude, and deftly resolving conflict. They are indispensable members of the body of Christ for whom we should be especially appreciative. Though they (like every personality type) have their struggles, they have much to contribute.

Who am I
To say what any of this means-
I have been sleepwalking
Since I was fourteen
…
A little at a time
I feel more alive
I let the scale tip and feel all of it
It’s uncomfortable but right

We were born to try
To see each other through
To know and love ourselves and others well
Is the most difficult and meaningful
Work we’ll ever do¹

1. Sleeping at Last, “Nine,” Asteroid B-612, 17 on Atlas: II, April 22, 2020, YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TijTd60iFDw.[↩]