A Peaceful Home

A Peaceful Home

(Prov 17:1 NIrV) It is better to eat a dry crust of bread in peace and quiet than to eat a big dinner in a house that is full of fighting.

Any verse that deals with food spikes my interest immediately (smile). Growing up in Hawaii and all food there is so tasty. And as you all know I had my fair share of big meals

Whenever I visit my family in the Hawaii we all get together for feasts full of great food, and most of all, family love. I know a thing or two about enjoying big meals, but as Solomon teaches, what makes those meals enjoyable and special is the love we share as a family. While I love Island food (I could eat it every day), the lesson is that the taste and quantity of the food would not matter if it were served in a house full of strife.

Just like love will sweeten even a dry crust of bread, strife will sour and embitter an overflowing banquet.

This verse reminds me of another that I often quote when speaking on marriage. Twice in Proverbs Solomon said, “Better to live on the roof than share the house with a nagging wife” (21:9 and 25:24). Your home should be a refuge from the outside world; it should be a sanctuary of peace and love. Even if you are struggling to make ends meet or if you are facing countless challenges at work, if you are able to come home to a place of peace you will recover from the stress of the challenges you faced throughout the day.

As a believer, especially a married one, you should never make your spouse dread coming home. When there is no peace at home your marriage will suffer, your children will struggle, and you even run the risk of destroying your health. If you have allowed your home to be a place of constant fighting, then it is definitely time to make some changes. If you don’t stop the fighting you run the risk of losing everything and everyone.

So what does this mean to you? It means that you must strive for peace, especially domestic peace, at all costs. It does not matter how much money you have – food in the cupboards, money in the bank, cars in the garage, and etc. – if you don’t have peace at home. We all face challenges on a daily basis and we need a refuge that we can come home to. Our home should be a place where we can be renewed, restored, revived and regenerated, so that we can be ready for the next day. But when your home is full of strife, you come home after a challenging day only to face nothing more challenges and this never ending process will eventually take a toll on you and all those around you. Don’t underestimate the importance of having a home full of God’s love, peace, and rest!

If it is not already, starting today, strive to make your home the refuge you need to experience God’s rest.

Father, I thank You for Your Word this morning. I needed that reminder and I declare, by faith, right now, that my home is and will always be a place of peace. I open up an altar in my home and I establish it as a sanctuary of Your love. When I come home I am able to enjoy my family and all that You have blessed us with. Even if we face challenges – financial or otherwise – as a family, we will face them together. Nothing will disrupt the peace of my home. Everyday, when I come home, I am renewed, restored, revived, and regenerated, so that I can be ready for the next day. Thank you Father for blessing me with a peaceful home and a peaceful family. In Jesus’ name. Amen!