Try as Christians might to bridge racial gaps and forge friendships with those of different faith, divisiveness still remains rampant, even among church people.
Victoria Osteen, wife of Pastor Joel Osteen from Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, said Christians need to be more proactive and do whatever they can to strengthen their relationships and their families as well.
"Adversity will always come. Disagreements will happen. But one of the most powerful ways you can strengthen your relationships is by being a peacemaker," she wrote on her blog.
Osteen said people should think of a campfire when they want to visualise issues and arguments. It will only burn as long as someone keeps throwing logs on it. But as soon as people stop fuelling the fire, then it will eventually go out.
"Maybe you feel like you have a fire of strife and confusion in your home today or in your relationships. I believe that if you ask God to help you be a peacemaker, if you will stop throwing logs on the fire, He will supernaturally cause that fire to be extinguished," she said.
Osteen said peace and unity are two important things to achieve especially during this time, because Satan is after this generation. Satan wants to get his grips on families and relationships, and tear down loving people and turn them against each other.
It's true that people won't always get along and won't see eye to eye. But if they only focus on their differences, then there will definitely be division. In contrast, if people set their sights on the common ground for peace, they will only bring harmony into their relationships.
"Remember, the Bible tells us that blessed are the peacemakers. When we dwell together in unity, we honour God and open the door for His hand of blessing in every area of our lives!" she assured.
