Every conflict, disagreement, or fight has a starting point. Someone says something, does something, or an event occurs that is like the first domino tipping over in a long line of dominos. Usually, when that first thing happens nobody expects that it will continue and collect more energy as it moves along. In Matthew 5 Jesus in the “sermon on the mount” says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, they will be called sons of God.” A peacemaker is a person who takes the initiative and helps bring reconciliation to a conflict between people, those they are part of and those that they are near.

Another aspect of being a peacemaker is recognizing the tipping of the first domino and changing the course of events that would normally follow. It is much easier to prevent a conflict at its beginning than it is to fix one.

Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

This verse is saying that the beginning of a quarrel is like a small leak in a dam, but it will get continually bigger until the dam breaks.

A wise person will see the beginning stages of a conflict and a humble person will do or say something to steer it in a peaceful direction.

Proverbs 20:3 Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man,
But any fool will quarrel.