Winning the Peace

The Point

Many conflicts don’t get squared without some scuffle. Someone ignores some important courtesy. Someone else takes offense or sustains injury. The offender ignores the polite call for help. Sabers rattle. Pistols come out of their holsters. The tavern piano player stops playing.

Things only calm down when the offended, injured party kindly asks for peace. Peacefulness requires that we win friendships, not brawls. We must forgive, rebuild burnt bridges, and build new bridges. That’s the only gratifying conclusion. But, that doesn’t mean sabers shouldn’t rattle. Winning peace requires something that will get everyone’s attention. But, it still ends with peace.