Embracing Peace and Kindness
Reflections from 1 Thessalonians 5:12–15
Life can get noisy, from busy new school year schedules to tensions at home, from conflict in the world to the struggles in our own hearts. In 1 Thessalonians 5:12–15, Paul gives us a timely reminder: peace and kindness aren’t luxuries; they’re necessities for living well with others. In this passage, Paul lays out a path toward harmony in our churches, homes, and communities, and it starts with how we treat each other.
Respect, Peace, and Patience
Paul begins by urging us to respect those who lead, not because they’re flawless, but because of the work they do. That applies to pastors, yes, but also to parents, teachers, and anyone who shoulders responsibility. We’re not called to admire perfection, but to honor the labor of love that leadership often requires.
From there, Paul gives a simple but powerful command: “Live in peace with each other.” That one line could change so much if we took it seriously. Living in peace doesn’t mean ignoring problems or pretending everything’s fine. It means choosing calm over chaos, gentleness over judgment, and grace over grumbling.
And it takes patience. Paul says, “Be patient with everyone.” Everyone. Not just the easy folks. Patience is the soil where peace and kindness can actually take root. And like anything worth growing, it takes time, care, and a willingness to let God work in us.
Patience in Practice
The other day I ran into the Corner Market for one thing, just one. I told myself it’d be a five-minute stop. I even left my Expedition running. Well, you know how that goes...
I barely made it past the first aisle before I ran into someone I hadn’t seen in a bit. A quick “howdy” turned into a full rundown of their cousin’s surgery, what the neighbor’s dog got into, and whether the high school volleyball team’s going to make a run this season. I finally made it back to the dairy cooler and there was someone else, ready to talk about church, roadwork, and the millions of motorcycles suddenly appearing thanks to the Sturgis Rally. (And they’re not wrong, you can’t drive a mile without a pack of bikes in front of you, behind you, and rumbling past you from the side. Great for the economy. Tough on the nerves.).
By the time I made it to checkout, I’d had three conversations, one prayer request, and at least one near-debate about which route has the least Harleys on it. All I could do was laugh. I walked out with milk and a reminder: God is still working on my patience.
Paul says, “Be patient with everyone.” And I think that includes the friendly folks at the Corner Market, the slow walkers in aisle two, and the biker caravans doing 10 under on a no-passing zone. Patience isn’t just about standing still, sometimes it’s about slowing down enough to see people the way God sees them.
How to Live it Out
Paul doesn’t just tell us what to do, he gives us some real-life, practical ways to live this out:
Taking the Next Step
So where do we start? Don’t try to tackle everything at once. Maybe this week, you choose to focus on patience. Or maybe there’s someone who needs your kindness, even if they haven’t exactly earned it.
Ask God to help you see the people around you the way He sees them. Ask for the strength to hold your tongue, offer a kind word, or lend a helping hand. And don’t underestimate what a small step toward peace can do, it might just change everything.
Peace and kindness aren’t just good ideas. They’re part of what it means to follow Jesus. So let’s be people who build each other up, speak gently, forgive quickly, and live in a way that brings calm to the storm.
We’ve got enough conflict in the world. Let’s be the ones who make room for grace.
Life can get noisy, from busy new school year schedules to tensions at home, from conflict in the world to the struggles in our own hearts. In 1 Thessalonians 5:12–15, Paul gives us a timely reminder: peace and kindness aren’t luxuries; they’re necessities for living well with others. In this passage, Paul lays out a path toward harmony in our churches, homes, and communities, and it starts with how we treat each other.
Respect, Peace, and Patience
Paul begins by urging us to respect those who lead, not because they’re flawless, but because of the work they do. That applies to pastors, yes, but also to parents, teachers, and anyone who shoulders responsibility. We’re not called to admire perfection, but to honor the labor of love that leadership often requires.
From there, Paul gives a simple but powerful command: “Live in peace with each other.” That one line could change so much if we took it seriously. Living in peace doesn’t mean ignoring problems or pretending everything’s fine. It means choosing calm over chaos, gentleness over judgment, and grace over grumbling.
And it takes patience. Paul says, “Be patient with everyone.” Everyone. Not just the easy folks. Patience is the soil where peace and kindness can actually take root. And like anything worth growing, it takes time, care, and a willingness to let God work in us.
Patience in Practice
The other day I ran into the Corner Market for one thing, just one. I told myself it’d be a five-minute stop. I even left my Expedition running. Well, you know how that goes...
I barely made it past the first aisle before I ran into someone I hadn’t seen in a bit. A quick “howdy” turned into a full rundown of their cousin’s surgery, what the neighbor’s dog got into, and whether the high school volleyball team’s going to make a run this season. I finally made it back to the dairy cooler and there was someone else, ready to talk about church, roadwork, and the millions of motorcycles suddenly appearing thanks to the Sturgis Rally. (And they’re not wrong, you can’t drive a mile without a pack of bikes in front of you, behind you, and rumbling past you from the side. Great for the economy. Tough on the nerves.).
By the time I made it to checkout, I’d had three conversations, one prayer request, and at least one near-debate about which route has the least Harleys on it. All I could do was laugh. I walked out with milk and a reminder: God is still working on my patience.
Paul says, “Be patient with everyone.” And I think that includes the friendly folks at the Corner Market, the slow walkers in aisle two, and the biker caravans doing 10 under on a no-passing zone. Patience isn’t just about standing still, sometimes it’s about slowing down enough to see people the way God sees them.
How to Live it Out
Paul doesn’t just tell us what to do, he gives us some real-life, practical ways to live this out:
- Warn the idle and disruptive – In love, we help each other stay on course and out of trouble. Sometimes that means a gentle warning or a nudge toward responsibility.
- Encourage the disheartened – Not everyone is thriving. Some folks are running on empty. They need encouragement, not correction.
- Help the weak – Whether someone is struggling spiritually, emotionally, or physically, part of living in peace is stepping in to help carry the load.
- Choose kindness over payback – Paul says, “Don’t repay wrong for wrong.” That’s a tall order. But when we respond with kindness instead of retaliation, we open the door for healing, not just for others, but in ourselves too.
Taking the Next Step
So where do we start? Don’t try to tackle everything at once. Maybe this week, you choose to focus on patience. Or maybe there’s someone who needs your kindness, even if they haven’t exactly earned it.
Ask God to help you see the people around you the way He sees them. Ask for the strength to hold your tongue, offer a kind word, or lend a helping hand. And don’t underestimate what a small step toward peace can do, it might just change everything.
Peace and kindness aren’t just good ideas. They’re part of what it means to follow Jesus. So let’s be people who build each other up, speak gently, forgive quickly, and live in a way that brings calm to the storm.
We’ve got enough conflict in the world. Let’s be the ones who make room for grace.
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