Right now you may be feeling some tension with someone in your life. Maybe you did something to create the tension. Maybe the other person did. Either way, here you are with some unresolved tension between the two of you, and you don’t like how that makes you feel.

One reason we tend to put off these tensions rather than address them is because it always costs something to establish peace with someone.

It may cost you a piece of your pride.

It may cost you an evening of your time.

It may cost you discomfort as you open an old wound.

Wherever there’s tension, it’ll cost something to be resolved. And sometimes that cost can be high.

Today I want you to dwell on the peace that God initiated with you and all humankind. Think about the peace on earth that the angels sang about at Jesus’ birth. Think about the unthinkable cost that Jesus paid gladly to establish peace between you and his Father.

Now since the tension between you and heaven is erased, take to heart what that means for you:

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).

Part with your pride. Spend your time. Put up with the pain. Pay whatever is necessary on your end to resolve the tensions you feel. There’s no guarantee that things will be resolved right away. Maybe today is just about that first step.