A family
is to be a place of love, joy, peace and laughter. Often we end up enduring our
family instead of enjoying them. How can we get along with us each other and
enjoy the family God has given us? Let me share a few keys to start enjoying your
family.
1. Speak
positive, uplifting words to build each other up. Words are like clothes. You
can make a person look good or you can tear them down with your constant
criticism. Use words to inspire not describe the situation. Say things like, “I
don’t know how you make our house always look like a luxury hotel!” Or “I don’t
know of a more hardworking man who provides for our family like you do!” If you
have kids say, “I have the best kids in the world. You’re beautiful, smart,
teachable and God-loving.” When we give sincere compliments, people live up to what
we say.
2.
Keep strife out of your life. The scriptures say, “It’s the little foxes that destroy
the vineyard.” Watch for your pet peas. Don’t put your family through hell
simply because you have personal preferences. Promote and practice the culture
of respect and honor. Turn down the volume. Don’t be so easily offended and blurter
out your feelings. Overlook a few shortcomings and cover for each other.
Cultivate peace.
3.
Touch n go. Nobody likes to be lectured at. Yet there will be times in the
family when certain issues need to be addressed. Instead of making long, drawn
out verbal debates, fights and defensive comments, try the sandwich method. Bread,
meat, bread! When you need to confront an issue, start with some compliments,
ask for a favor (the issue), and end with more compliments. Keep it short, to
the point and move on. Let the Holy Spirit change people and not our verbiage of
words.
Friends,
we live in a stressful world. Our family and home should be a place of safety
and refuge. Let’s not only protect our families from the dangers of outside
world but also from each other inside our own homes. Jesus said, “A kingdom
divided cannot stand.” By the way, these principles can also be practiced at
work and in the marketplace to promote harmonious relationship and increase
productivity.
“Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight
for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes” (Nehemiah 4:14 NIV).
Let’s
stop fighting with each other and fight for our families together. I’m praying
for you and your family.
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