Family Functionality

Family is a beautiful thing. However, life issues occur, things change, and years go by. Suddenly, perhaps, the reality hits that relationships are not what they once were, or could have been, or what we’d hoped them to be.

To have family functionality, there needs to be the willingness to do as we read in Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, let us settle the matter…”

Table talk or gossip unfortunately comes easy for some. Sitting at the table across from a family member that hurt you, disappointed you, did not put forth effort with you, is much more difficult. It takes courage, confidence, – and frankly Christlikeness – to come together and find solutions, extend apologies, and offer healing to a fractured family.

God gives many commands throughout his word regarding relationships. These two seem like a good starting point if you’re looking for direction for a functional family:

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18)

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. (I John 4:20)

I pray that you have a family that functions in love, communication, loyalty, and fellowship. However, if you do not, my prayer for you is that you extend that invitation to “come now, let us settle the matter.” Only God knows what may come of that prayerful invitation.

If you are in a situation in which you have done all you know to do and no changes have occurred, my prayer for you is that you ask the Lord to show you how he wants you to apply Ephesians 6:13: *Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. *

After you have done everything, to stand. The Lord’s instruction to us is to stand. Trust God with all you have done and leave it with him. Live in the peace that is Jesus …and stand.

Father God, I ask you to relieve my heavy heart because of family disfunctionality. Lord, you can resolve all issues when everyone submits their will to you and agrees to come and settle the matter. Should it be that not everyone is willing, please provide peace to me. Help me to stand when I know I have done everything you’ve asked me to do. I ask that your will, your best, be done in each one’s life. Thank you that you know the situation and you know my heart. I trust you and I leave it with you, Father God – in Jesus’s mighty name. Amen.

Throughout the day ask the Lord to search you and know you. Search the Word of God for scriptures regarding your specific situation. If there is anything the Lord wants you to do, I encourage you to obey him. If you have done all you can and the matter has not changed, receive Jesus and his peace. Stand and trust the Lord, for only he can make a way where there seems to be no way.