You’re able to choose your friends. You can choose your spouse. You cannot, however, choose your family. God has reserved that choice entirely for Himself. This can be hard for some to understand, especially those who experience abusive situations within the family unit; nevertheless, God has His reasons for placing you within your specific family unit. With this in mind, how can we honor His decision?

Love Each Other

1 Cor 13:4-7 tells us that “love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; loves does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Undoubtedly, you won’t always live up to this standard. But these few Bible verses provide much guidance on how we are to treat those He has chosen to be in our family.

Put Family Members’ Needs First

In Matthew 22:39, Jesus tells us that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. In this verse, neighbor applies to everyone else besides ourselves, including family. One of the ways to do this is to put their needs ahead of your own.

Take time to recognize and support the varying interests of each other. If a family member wants to share their passion with you, be present and really enjoy it with them even though it may not be your first choice of activities. Whether it be hobbies, chores, or just serving other family members, you should seek to love, support, and keep their interests and concerns in your forethought. In this way, you show love and support for them.

Respect and Honor Family Members

Show honor and respect to all family members. This means you place their needs above the needs of your friends or the community. It means you show respect for them even when, or especially when, they aren’t in your presence – no backstabbing allowed. If you aren’t willing to say something about them in their presence, it shouldn’t be said.

Pray For Family Members

Take time to pray for the needs of your family members. Ask God to provide divine protection over them. Ask that their needs and desires be met. If they are unsaved, pray unceasingly for their salvation. Take time to pray with family members as well. Praying with and for each other will draw the family closer together.

Discover God’s Intent for Your Family

God created your family for a specific purpose and has given it a specific calling. Pray that God will reveal this purpose to you and your family. Don’t just go through the motions of life; instead, purposefully live out the calling God has for your family. Let your family be an inspiration and example to those around them.
~
Know that the God who created the heavens and the earth placed you in your family. These five actions will show Him that you honor His decision and ultimate authority. After all, God tells us in Isaiah 46:10, “My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.”