In the Gap

Sometimes it helps when someone can stand between two opposing forces and keep peace — or at least separation until peace can be reached. It’s not always about right or wrong, strength or weakness, but about love and peace. When irritation or frustration arises within us, the peace is removed. Until we deal with the frustration or irritation, we will fail to recover peace.
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Peacemakers are those who stand in the gap between frustration and resolution, between irritation and acceptance. One such peacemaker is called time. We separate mentally, physically, and emotionally to allow us time to gain control of our emotions. If it is not possible to separate mentally, physically, and emotionally, then any two of these forms of separation will work better than none and even one form can aid in overcoming.

Individuals can also stand in the gap and serve as peacemakers. Young siblings are often separated from each other by a parent or custodian in order to allow time to cool overheated emotions. Those who stand in the gap provide a needed service to help us control frustration and irritation. If left unchecked, these two emotions will lead to anger, and possibly hatred. When anger and hatred enter our hearts, peace is gone. Learn to discipline anger in the little events, and then even the big events will be manageable.