The man behind the counter who had just taken my breakfast order had been extremely rude—almost insulting. In less time than it takes for you to read about it, the following battle played itself out in my mind:

Initial reaction: "Don't just sit there. You know how to look out for yourself. Strike a blow for the women of this world. Talk back to him!"

Christlike response: "Don't simply fire off a self-justifying remark. You have a higher obligation here—to do what God expects of you, which is to act in conformity with Jesus' teachings on being a peacemaker."

It took courage to do the latter, but after a brief internal struggle, Christlikeness won out. No conflict erupted. And there was an added bonus, which is not surprising when God's requirements are met. The man's behavior toward me on succeeding visits to that restaurant has been above and beyond his duty. He actually gets my order going when he sees me walk through the door. And he serves my breakfast with a warm smile, and a "How're you doing today?"

On one level, that initial reaction, handling this situation myself, might have been temporarily satisfying. And, admittedly, following Jesus' teachings was hard to do at first. But peacemaking in this kind of everyday occurrence makes other incidents needing peace-keeping that much easier.

Even though it isn't always easy to rise instantly to the occasion when discord rears its ugly head, the Christian warfare is glorious. Whatever praying is necessary to control mere personal reaction and do the right thing is well worth the effort. Being a regular reader of the Bible and of Science and Health is helping me do this.

In fact, this ongoing spiritual study and application formed my response that morning while waiting for breakfast. In that brief moment, I didn't have time to reason through all that I had learned from that study about peacemaking. But learning over many years the Christian duty to love one's neighbor, and practicing that whenever possible, gave me the spiritual strength I needed in this case.

Jesus taught, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (Matt. 5:9). It is our God-given right to experience peace when dealing with others; it is also important that we make peace.

The Bible describes Jesus' response to persecution: "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not" (I Pet. 2:23). Of course, the rude behavior we might encounter is a far cry from the severity of what Jesus experienced and overcame. But his conduct and self-possession in the face of provocation are a shining example for us all.

"Oh, I can just not say anything under provocation, if that's what it takes to keep the peace," someone might say, "but I surely don't have to like it." Smoldering resentment at the actions of other people won't make the grade. As Jesus instructs, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them whichde spitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matt. 5:44).

Am I saying that always keeping silent is the one sure way to get along harmoniously with others? No; there might well be circumstances where not speaking up would be cowardly and ineffectual. But in any case there is a need to respond in a Christlike spirit, with loving words and actions meant to heal the situation, not inflame it.

You may be thinking, "That's a fine ideal, but how can I really make it practical? How can I deal with anger, smugness, or irritating traits in myself or in others?" The Science of Christ provides an answer. In the textbook of Christian Science is this statement: "When we realize that there is one Mind, the divine law of loving our neighbor as ourselves is unfolded; whereas a belief in many ruling minds hinders man's normal drift towards the one Mind, one God, and leads human thought into opposite channels where selfishness reigns" (Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health, p. 205).

It is a belief in many minds, conflicting personal egos, that causes trouble. But because there's just one God, who is infinite, the source of all intelligence and wisdom, there's really only one Mind. Therefore, as the spiritual image and likeness of God, man reflects this one divine Mind. Understanding that the divine Mind governs and loves all, defuses hostility. Peace is firmly grounded, not on the shaky basis of mere personal agreement or appeasement, but on the understanding that God's law of harmony is in operation, blessing everyone.

We each can make peace in these small, everyday encounters. The Bible counsels, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men" (Rom. 12:18). Making earnest efforts to follow this instruction in our daily contacts with our fellowman, we will experience much more harmony. And the best, the really sublime part, we will be conducting ourselves more and more in keeping with what Jesus taught about how to coexist peacefully with others.