Popular psychology says to put the self first, but when the self is first, peace is last. Test this out at all levels of life. Test it spiritually and see if it isn't true that when our self-seeking comes first, peace with God comes last. Test it out personally in the circle of our family and closest friends and see if it isn't true that when self comes first, peace in our homes and among our friends comes last. Test it out collectively and see if isn't true that as ethnic groups or nations seek their own welfare first, peace comes last.
Peace comes like ripples on a pond.
God first drops his gift, the rock of our salvation, into the water so that in the first ring we can live and die at peace with God. Then its ripples form rings that reach out to the world around us. The second ring is for those around us, family and church, so we are a sign to the world of God's good work. The third ring is for global peace or peace in the community where the root of peace is justice. The kind of peace Jesus did not make is the only kind of peace we can make.