HOW SHOULD WE HANDLE DIFFICULT FAMILY SITUATIONS?

SCRIPTURE:
Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he 
and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard 
about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out 
of his mind.” (Mark 3:20-21)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever wondered if there is anything in the Bible 
that deals with difficult family relationships?
There is an account of Jesus having difficulties within His own family.
But you know how Jesus handled it 
– He brought peace to a tumultuous situation.

His family did not fully appreciate Jesus for who He is.
His brothers thought He was a lunatic (“out of his mind”).
Instead of being proud of Him, they were embarrassed.

How did Jesus respond to this situation?
He didn’t disown His brothers.
He didn’t try to control his family’s behavior.
He didn’t let their behavior control His behavior.
He didn’t demand for them to agree with Him. 
He didn’t pout or show anger when they insulted him. 
He didn’t change His mission to please His Heavenly Father 
to one of trying to please His brothers.
Jesus didn’t try to force His brothers to share His 
convictions – He loved them too much to try to force them to love Him.

When Jesus’ brothers didn’t share his convictions, 
he didn’t try to force them to be like Him, or to love Him as He loved them. 
He knew that His spiritual family (including His Heavenly Father) 
would be there for Him, even when His physical family was not. 
Jesus had a description of those He considers His family members.
“My true brother and sister and mother 
are those who do what God wants” (Mark 3:35).

We can assume that Jesus wanted His family’s approval, but He was not 
going to allow His disappointment to change His call from God for His life.
How did His approach work out?
As one would expect, it worked out great!
“Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the 
Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city…They all continued 
praying together with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, 
and Jesus’ brothers” (Acts 1:12, 14).

His brothers once mocked Him, but now they worshipped Him.
His brothers once felt bad about His sanity, but now they prayed for Him.
This is the result of the approach by Jesus to give them their space, 
give them some time, show them grace, and exercise patience..
Jesus showed us how to deal with difficult family members the right way 
in order to promote a change in their attitude and perception of Him.

Look at the additional results of His approach.
In Galatians, Paul mentioned that one of His brothers became an apostle.
Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with 
Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other 
apostles-only James, the Lord’s brother. (Galatians 1:18-19) 

In 1 Corinthians, when Paul was defending his rights as an apostle, he
spoke of the brothers of Jesus along with Cephas (Peter) and the other
apostles (possibly indicating that Jesus' brothers had become apostles).
Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the 
other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? (1 Corinthians 9:5)

ACTION:
We would love to have our family’s approval, but it isn't always achievable. 
It would be great if every family was similar to the Cleaver family, 
but the truth is, that was a television family that appeared to be ideal.
If Jesus didn’t force his family to share his convictions, 
then how can we expect to force ours?

God changed families when Jesus walked the earth in human form 
and He still changes families today.
Instead of wasting our time and increasing our frustrations 
by trying to change them, we need to respond as Jesus did 
and allow our omnipotent Father to change them.
They may need to change, but so do we.

Pray
“Heavenly Father, I am thankful that nothing escapes You. Whenever 
there is difficulty in my family, You know it. You also know how to 
change the hearts of people. Forgive me if I have gotten in Your way 
by trying to force a change in others. Help me to use the example 
established by Your Son, Jesus and spend time praying for others rather 
than increasing tensions and frustrating myself by trying to force 
changes in them. Help me to love them as You love me.”