"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts"

Colossians 3:15, NIV

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...

Rule... Gr. brabeuo, literally, "to be the umpire," hence, "to award the prize". From the heart come decisions and policies that affect not only the individual but also the church and society. Paul here is telling the Colossian Christians to enthrone the peace that comes from Christ as the "umpire" of their lives.

If you are only going to enjoy today if your plans work out and people treat you right, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. The unexpected happens, and offenses come. There are no perfect people in your life--no perfect boss, no perfect friend, no perfect neighbor, no perfect spouse, no perfect child. Give people room to be human. Quit expecting them to perform perfectly all the time. "Well, they hurt my feelings." Keep your peace, don't be offended, forgive them, and move on. No matter how much someone loves you, no matter how good they are at times, they will disappoint you. At times they will let you down and say things that hurt and offend. They're just human. 

At the start of the day, you need to decide that no matter what comes your way--delays, disappointments, bad breaks--you're going to let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. No matter what somebody says or does, you're not going to be offended. You've already made up your mind to stay in peace.

Father, thank You for Your peace and joy that rule and guard my heart as I put my trust in You. Help me to see myself and other people as You see us, as imperfect humans. I refuse to allow my circumstances or what others say and do to get me upset. May the peace that comes from Christ be the "umpire" of my life. I declare I will walk in peace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.