🎥 Video 2C: Turning Toward the Peacefire

Hi, I am Haley Steiner, a CLI presenter.

This course is taught by Professor Brian DeCook.

The Peacefire begins when we turn toward God before we are ruled by our reaction.

This turn may be very simple.

It may happen in a hallway.

In a car.

Before sending a text.

After reading an email.

During a tense meeting.

At the kitchen table.

In a church lobby.

In a moment when your heart wants to speak quickly, defend strongly, withdraw completely, or strike back.

The Peacefire begins with attention.

Jesus, You are here.

Then surrender.

Jesus, I need You.

Then honesty.

Jesus, this is what I feel.

Then wisdom.

Jesus, what is my next faithful step?

Proverbs 15 says that a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

A gentle answer is not a weak answer.

It is a Spirit-shaped answer.

It may still tell the truth.

It may still ask a hard question.

It may still name harm.

It may still set a boundary.

But it does not add fleshly fuel to the fire.

Turning toward the Peacefire may include a pause.

Take a breath.

Relax your shoulders.

Open your hands.

Slow your voice.

Do not send the message yet.

Do not make the accusation yet.

Do not tell the story to the wrong person yet.

Do not decide the whole meaning of the relationship in one emotional moment.

Pause does not mean avoidance.

Pause means making room for Christ.

Turning toward the Peacefire may include prayer.

Not a long prayer.

A real prayer.

Lord, help me listen.

Lord, guard my mouth.

Lord, show me what is true.

Lord, help me love without pretending.

Lord, show me what is mine to own.

Lord, keep me from revenge.

Lord, give me courage.

Turning toward the Peacefire may include Scripture.

James 3 teaches that wisdom from above is pure, peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, and full of good fruits.

That is the wisdom we need in conflict.

Not merely clever words.

Not emotional force.

Not silence that hides resentment.

Not truth without love.

We need wisdom from above.

And turning toward the Peacefire may include a next faithful step.

Apologize.

Ask a clarifying question.

Wait until tomorrow.

Tell the truth gently.

Seek counsel.

Stop gossiping.

Set a boundary.

Ask for help.

Pray for the person.

Entrust the outcome to God.

The Peacefire does not guarantee that the other person will respond well.

But it helps you respond from the presence of Christ instead of the power of the flesh.

Before moving on, ask:

Where do I need to pause before I add fuel?

Then pray:

Jesus, bring me back to the Peacefire before I speak, send, decide, or withdraw.