23rd October 2026

A recent survey revealed that one in ten of us doesn’t like their neighbours. I was rather shocked to find that so many of us don’t get on with those we live beside. Should I be surprised? Probably not, but it is sad. And the worst region to be in for residents who don’t care for their neighbours is the one I live in – the South East.

The report found that being friendly and chatty were found to be good traits to have in a neighbour, but being quiet and peaceful were best of all. Which is interesting, since Paul wrote to the Thessalonians that they should, ‘…make it your ambition to lead a quiet life’ (1 Thessalonians 4:11). It’s also translated, ‘strive to live quietly’, which highlights the effort we may need to go to in order to love our neighbours as ourselves and be the quiet and peace-loving people that neighbours say they value most. The King James Version translates the verse as ‘study to be quiet’, which implies that it may take a little thought on how to be the sort of people those who live alongside us want us to be.

To the Romans Paul wrote ‘…if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.’ (Romans 12:18). And there are times when that goal will prove difficult, as we endeavour to keep the peace. Ever the realist, Paul realised that there may come times when friendly relationships are just not possible. 

We look forward to a future time of peace epitomised by the picture of the lamb lying down with the lion, but today sometimes it can be difficult to live at peace with a troublesome, inconsiderate neighbour. When all has been done to keep the peace and when there is nothing more to do – pray – leave it in the hands of a loving God to bring about peace in his time and his way.

In the meantime, let’s endeavour to be good neighbours.

Local congregation:
Grace Communion in Lewes
The House of Friendship
208 High Street
Lewes
BN7 2NS

Meeting time:
Sunday 11:00 am 

Local congregational contact:
Hilary Buck
Email:  lewes@gracecom.church
Like us on www.facebook.com/Grace Communion Lewes 

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church