Article August 5, 1996 Issue

Making peace

Carol R. Panerio

The key to stopping conflict, whether it's political or familial, is to know where power is, and where it isn't. To understand that God is Love sheds light on just what it is that has power. Love has omnipotence, all-power. How does that help in such situations? When you understand that man is the spiritual image and likeness of God, divine Love, and not the material mixed bag the senses see, then you realize that in truth man can only express the love that is part of his God-created nature. Accepting this spiritual fact puts our thoughts under the control of God, the control of Love, not hate. It keeps us from being victimized by our own reactions.

Now, you say, this may be well and good when dealing with small-scale relationships, but what about groups of people who hate each other? What proves to be based on God, Principle, is true no matter what the scale. As in mathematics, the rule governs all solutions, whether we are working with tens or thousands. Overcoming of the problem starts in our own thought. And when our thought is governed by Love, so are our circumstances.

I had an experience that illustrates this. I was chairman of a community service organization. For some time a member of the organization had had a reputation for being domineering and difficult to work with. The group recognized this person's intelligence and ability to contribute, and developed a pattern of behavior that allowed for her input, while at the same time keeping the peace. Everyone avoided resisting this individual even though working together was uncomfortable and frustrating.

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