Family Strife

If you have good relations with your family, then be
grateful to God, for not everyone enjoys those blessings.

Family Strife

"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."

(Ephesians 4:32)

On Tuesday of this week, I wrote a devotion with the same focal biblical text that I am referring to in today's devotion: Ephesians 4:32. I think this one verse could help so many who are dealing with family strife and division. There are many families (it might surprise you just how many) who are struggling with getting along with each other, with those who know them best.

I was emailing a friend of mine last week, and she shared with me the heartache she is dealing with over the separation between her and her children and grandchildren. Because of past hurts, she has not seen her kids or grandkids for several years. My first reaction to this is sorrow. I could feel the pain and suffering this friction in their family has caused. My next reaction was, if you have close relations with your immediate family, like your kids and grandkids, then be grateful to God, for not everyone enjoys those blessings.

The Apostle Paul speaks a word that if everyone believed and applied would remove all tensions between family members. Notice how he gives three actions for the church at Ephesus and a reminder. First, he tells them to be kind to one another. Kindness is in short supply in our society and among many families. For those who claim to be Christians, kindness should mark our lives. It is one of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit that Paul lists in Galatians 5:22:23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." Second, in Ephesians 4:32, Paul instructs the church then and the Church today to be tenderhearted; this means to be compassionate to others. It is the same root word used by Matthew to describe how Jesus felt for those who were scattered and hurting in Matthew 9:36. It is the same word used by Peter in 1 Peter 3:8, translated here as "tenderhearted" as well: "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous." Next, Paul says to forgive one another. I think pride and an unforgiving spirit are the two primary reasons many of us as Christians falter. Note the reason why we are to forgive: because Jesus has forgiven us of all our sins!

If every warring family would sit down together and read Ephesians 4:32 and commit to one another before the Lord to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, then I know there would be reconciliation and much joy.

Are you one of those families I referred to in this devotion? I am sorry you are walking this difficult path of being alienated from those you love the most. I am praying even now that God would bring restoration and healing.

If you would like to send in your prayer request for me to pray for you, then please email me at pray@dfea.com.