“It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.”

In college, I once had an angry drunk who thought I had offended him—wrong guy—tell me to step outside with him. I immediately told him to go on out, and if I wasn’t there in five minutes, he could start without me. I always sought to avoid strife, mostly because I didn’t want to get beat up. Over time, I realized the futility of fighting. Ultimately, unless you’re a boxer or MMA fighter, no one really wins. My motto has been “blessed are the peacemakers.” Some people have tended to look down on that attitude. I admit, I like revenge movies—Liam Neeson has never made a bad one. But seriously, God calls us not to run from battles, but, whenever possible, to rise above them. Rising above often takes more strength and character than stepping into a scrap. You may face being taunted or goaded. The one instigating strife or a quarrel doesn’t like being left without an opposing party. The old saying, “it takes two to fight,” is true. Walking away is most often the Christlike thing to do. If your child is threatened or your spouse is in danger, standing up to the threat is understandable, even godly. But meaningless strife is, well, meaningless. Today, take the high road—God’s way. #BeTheEdge

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Jesus