Joshua 24:15 MSG “If you decide that it’s a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you’d rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you’re now living. As for me and my family, we’ll worship God.”
Most of us know the struggles of family life—waiting for the bathroom, getting interrupted at dinner, and more. But even when they frustrate us, we still love them, right?
Relationships can be transactional or transformational. Transactional love says, “You do your part, and I’ll do mine,” leading to confusion and rejection. Transformational love, however, is the unconditional love Jesus has for us (Romans 8:39)—the love we should show our family.
Everyone makes mistakes, including parents. They’re figuring life out too, so they won’t always be fair. The best thing to do? Talk it over, forgive, and move on. Holding grudges is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to suffer.
You get to choose how you see others—through love, anger, or disappointment. Choosing love is a daily decision, one we need the Holy Spirit’s help with. It’s tough when your little brother eats the last of your cereal or your sister keeps stealing your clothes. But with God’s love in us, we can learn to love our family unconditionally.
Sometimes, one person’s love can change an entire family. It won’t always be easy, but choosing to love and understand your family will be worth it in the end!
Have love and understanding towards your family even when they make you angry.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for my family. Thank You for setting the perfect example of how to love others unconditionally. Please help me to love my family like you love me. Amen.
Challenge: Look through the lens of love when you are looking at your siblings, mom, or dad. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in love when you are angry or irritated.
(Writeen by Michelle du Plessis)
