Living Peace

"If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." Romans 12:18, ESV
This one is difficult to carry out, there are many people we know that need a slap in the head. Yet, we are told to live in peace with all. How do we reconcile God's demands and our human instincts?
Look at what Paul says here, "as far as it depends on you." It is up to you to live at peace with one another. You cannot depend on the other person to change, you must change.
You are the one who has to forgive and forget. Do not wait on the other person. When it comes to hurts we need to drop them. When it comes to stumblings, get up and move on.
Paul goes on to say in verse 20: "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."
Ever been nice to someone that is mean to you? It really messes with them. It's fun and it frees you from any pain associated with their hate. Try it sometime.
You cannot control how another person reacts or what that person will or will not do. You can only control yourself. Prayer is a mighty key here. You must be in prayer to have patience, peace, understanding, self-control, etc.
Live at peace, as far as it depends on you, not them. You must worry and control yourself. Do not expect others to apologize, you are the one to seek forgiveness. Be kind and treat all with respect and love.
We are all sinners fallen short of God's glory, some of us are redeemed. Some are vessels set aside for destruction, but we still have to love no matter what they do to us. Live at peace.