Overcoming Family
Every family has its stories. Some are entertaining; some are terrifying. Chances are good that you face some unusual circumstances in your family. Genesis 37:1-4 tells the difficult circumstances of Joseph’s family. Here’s a real-life look at those verses:
Joseph’s father was a deceiver, trading to get his brother’s birthright. Jacob married sisters Leah and Rachel and also had two mistresses. He fathered 12 boys (and at least one daughter) by four different women. Joseph, a son of his favorite wife, Rachel, was Jacob’s favorite son. Jacob gave Joseph a special gift. Some of the issues that family faced are obvious in the biblical record: anger, resentment, favoritism, competition, jealousy, and violence. Do any of these seem familiar? Family challenges are not new; but the goal is healthy families by following the principles of Scripture. You can have victory in your family. How can you be a God’s kind of parent? Know Jesus as Savior—“whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) This is the first key to godly parenting. Another is to love one another—“submitting to one another in the fear of God.” (Ephesians 5:21) And make your children a priority—“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) Children are influenced by their parents, for good or bad. What does God expect of children? First, obey—“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother.’ (Galatians 6:1-2a) Second, grow in faith—“the genuine faith that is in you.” (2 Timothy 1:5a) Practice self-control—“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness.” (2 Timothy 2:22) Challenges in family life are not new. Parents and children are pulled away from God, as they always have. How are you going to respond? Start where you are. Let God have control of your life, beginning now.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
