I have been reading an outstanding biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and highly commend it for you or as a gift:  BONHOEFFER: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, 2010.

The book has many provocative and poignant moments. In the context of preparing my work program for the coming 3 years and reflecting on the level of risk taking, I found the following from page 241,

There is no way to peace along the way of safety.  For peace must be dared, it is itself the great venture and can never be safe.  Peace is the opposite of security.  To demand guarantees is to want to protect oneself.  Peace means giving oneself completely to God’s commandment, wanting no security, but in faith and obedience laying the destiny of the nations in the hand of Almighty God , not trying to direct it for selfish purposes.  Battles are won, not with weapons, but with God.  They are won when the way leads to the cross.

See also, Peace, conflict and grace.