In the previous article Liza Borstlap writes
I came to believe that the conflict in my family had created itself.
It would be lovely if we all could grow up in very close lovely families which can give us everything we need. Though it does not work that way. The world is not made in such a way that all can be born at the right good place, in the right good class, receiving all the good education or even being all very bright.
First Lady Michelle Obama reads “The Cat in the Hat” to children in Ms. Mattie’s class at Prager Child Development Center March 12, during her visit to Fort Bragg, N.C. The First Lady spoke with Soldiers and Family members as part of her initiative to care for military families. First Lady vows support for military families (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Even when all the material richness would be there when you are born in a rich family it does not mean you will find the luck to have a good relationship between all the members of that family.
Wherever we may be born in whatever for family we are just part of one big turmoil. Every day, people’s lives are touched by political, social, economic, and religious conflicts that tear the human family apart. In these conflicts, it is common for people to take sides — verbally or otherwise — with the nation, tribe, language group, or social class of which they are a part.
Even when people are not directly involved in some conflict, they often find themselves favouring one side over another. But regardless of which person or cause they endorse, to whom are they really giving support?
The Bible plainly states:
“The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19)
Families are not always such perfect units that shields the individual from a cruel society. Mostly we do find that in those families where there are no rules and morals and no eye for ethics the chances of getting derailed are grater than in religious families where certain religious rules go over the human will.
We must come to see we too can often be the cause of a problem. We too can be making problems even bigger than they are. Also by becoming indifferent for what goes on we can get ourselves in a deeper mess than we would love to see ourselves. Indifference in the end shall create emotional agitation and stress which shall become so unbearable that the person shall find no inner peace left. Danger then is that one tries to look for detachment, thinking it can preserve the self.
Another big problem is when people are not open enough to tell each-other what is on their liver. When not willing to let yourself be seen by the other like you are, you are that other person not giving the opportunity to get to know you, like you are really. It is by not having the open spirit to allow each other to be him or herself that restrictions are also laid on each other. When people than start remaining silent about the interference, the neglect, the labelling and toxic in-fighting, that often leaves a person with a limp and the frustration may ferment the malfunction in the own body as well as in the facility of being part of one united family.
It is not by secretly covering our own failures and mishaps until we can identify the black sheep that can take the blame, that we are going to come to a good solution. The opposite, that will bring us deeper in the well.
Deep in us may we find it screwing and tormenting. Our head can becoming spinning and looking for answers, but not seeing the places where those answers are easy to pick up. This deep-seated conflict between the desire to know and the inability to find the answer has tormented thinkers and philosophers throughout the ages. However, since God has put that yearning or desire in our heart, is it not logical to look to him to provide what is needed to satisfy that desire? After all, the Bible says of Jehovah:
“You are opening your hand and satisfying the desire of every living thing.” (Psalm 145:16)
For all those conflict which are between the family members, those persons should come to see what binds them, what makes it that they are brother and sister and that their is something in their blood which is more than special, even unique.
Even when we do feel so much hurt by our own family members, we should come over the point of being selfish and come to see that we can be a necessary link to heal the wounds made previously.
Being kind to those in our family involves following the admonition of the apostle Paul:
“Really put them all away from you, wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech, and obscene talk out of your mouth.”
Every day, Christian families should communicate with one another in a respectful manner. Why? Because good communication is the lifeblood of strong, healthy families. When disagreements arise, to smooth the conflict, try to solve the problem rather than win the argument. Happy family members make an earnest effort to promote kindness and consideration for one another. — Colossians 3:8, 12-14.
By turning to God’s Word, the Bible, we can find satisfying explanations about life and death and about God’s eternal purpose regarding the earth and the human family. — Ephesians 3:11.
Kindness is positive and makes us want to do good to others. Thus, we seek to be useful, considerate, and helpful in an agreeable manner with other family members. It takes both individual and collective effort to show the type of kindness that speaks well of a family. As a result, not only will they have God’s blessing but, in the congregation and in the community, they will honour the God of kindness, Jehovah. — 1 Peter 2:12.
When frustrated, when in conflict with members of the family it would be best to seek Biblical advice and to put your own “self” not in the centre but alongside all others in the family. By going to look for answers in the Holy Scriptures solutions may be found. Even when others do not want to know of God, you yourself will be able to change so much that your improved attitude shall be helpful to heal the wounds.
Seeing all the conflicts around us we also should try to become part of them. Best we take on a form of neutrality. Taking care of not to become misled with what is going on around us we should show others the other way to come closer to each other and to have agapé love.
We ourselves should know that our time on earth is limited and that we should make the best of it. Our hope should be in the coming new world, and it is that idea that we should share with those around us. Our task is to come up for others and to protect them, but we must know that we can not take them or ourselves out of this world. (John 17:15, 16) We live in this world and have to live with it, but that does not mean we have to live according to it. No, we have to live according to God’s Law and by following His word many blessings may come over us already in this life. By not wanting to be part of this world, but by being part of God’s world we shall find ways to bring the love of Christ over unto others as well and then the love of Christ may also grow deeper in us. .
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Preceding articles:
When you stay in your lane, there’s no traffic.
Family happiness and little things we do
Families with four or more kids most happiest
Crisis man needed in this world
Dissolve The Barriers You Created
Learning that stuff is just stuff
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Additional reading
- Behold, My mother and My brothers!
- Importance of parents 1
- Importance of parents 2
- Father and motherhood
- Youngsters, parents and the search to root in life
- Some one or something to fear #4 Families and Competition
- Teach children the Bible
- Poverty and conservative role patterns
- Dignified role for the woman
- Connection between women and environmental sustainability
- Three years ago and look back at several decennials ago
- Growing rift between observant parents and their children
- Synod of Bishops concerning minors
- Two synods and life in the church community
- Need to Embrace People Where They Are
- Conclusion of the synod of bishops for seeing the family in the light of the Gospel and church tradition
- Don’t be the weakest link
- I’m not a Mooch
- Patience is the ability to count down before blasting off
- Agape, a love to share with others from the Fruit of the Spirit
- Better loaves when the heart is joyous
- Jehovah’s Witnesses Shunning ex-members adverse effects on family relationships
- Agape, a love to share with others from the Fruit of the Spirit
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Further reading
- Conflict: Understanding Suspense
- Understanding others
- Understanding between religions
- Urges
- Subconflict, and Lots of It
- Fighting words: The role of conflict in fiction writing.
- No one listening? Then stop shouting, you might get heard
- The Rise and Fall of Action – for all levels
- Never Doubt Yourself
- Remembering Infinity: Caution…Egos at Work!
- Follow your heart when it’s in conflict with your brain!!!
- Can the World Bank Reduce Conflict in Nigeria by Providing Social Assistance?
- I Find my self conflicted
- Governance in a Mature Society, Part 2
- Communicating With Family – How to Let a Family Member Know They Hurt You
- Blessings and Duct Tape: How to Help Your Kids Get Along
- Stand Firm
- Hope For Battle Weary Mamas
- Family Conflict and Summer: The Best Time To Work Out Issues
- The father-child meeting
- The Problem With Beliefs
- Fighting With Your Spouse: How You Indirectly Effect Your Child
- 6 Tips for Handling Family Conflicts While Caregiving
- 10 Things You Need To Hear If Your Significant Other And Your Family Don’t Get Along
- Hurt People Hurt People
- Divorce: Part 1
- Divorce: Part 2, the minor problem
- Their’s Was A Perpetual Love Affair
- Depression: Postpartum Depression in Mothers
- Personality: The Birth Order Effect
- Frustration
- Finding Home
- The Very Best Way To Understand Grace
- Just like Granny told you, “Count your blessings!”
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