SURVIVING A CRISIS

By Neil Anderson

Luke 11:17 

A house divided against itself falls
 
Satan’s strategy is to use a problem situation to put you and your spouse at odds with each other. Jesus said, “A house divided against itself falls” (Luke 11:17). Many times I have said to parents, “Don’t let this pull you apart.” Inevitably they glance at each other, because that’s precisely what’s been going on.
 
“If you would have been more firm with our child, this wouldn’t have happened,” one blames.
 
“It’s because you didn’t set the standards by having family devotions every night,” the other retorts.
 
Or if they did have devotions, “You just read to the children, you never communicate with them!”
 
“If you were home more often, I’d have more time to communicate with them!”
 
There may be a grain of truth in every statement above. But it’s history, and tearing each other down will only make the problem worse. You must be united in order to survive the crisis. Character-bashing is from the pit.
 
Many parents are intimidated by a child’s threats or find it easier to give in to a temper tantrum than not to. But you cannot let a rebellious child rule the home. It takes an iron will and the grace of God to stand your ground and not let your child control you. Sad are the children whose parents let them rule the roost. Even sadder are the children whose parents rule without love. If you manage to control through loveless intimidation and force, your child will be emotionally crippled. Rules without a relationship lead to rebellion.
 
Any crisis in the home can make or break you. You can choose to grow through the crisis and become a better person than you were before. Romans 5:3, 4, encourages, “We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope.”
 
Prayer: Lord, I refuse Satan’s strategy to divide our home by quenching our love or overemphasizing rules. Help me do my part to keep our home united in You.


Categories: INSPIRATIONAL DEVOTIONS

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2 replies

  1. “Rules without a relationship lead to rebellion.”
    I love the illustration of the events surrounding the 10 Commandments. Moses is up on the mountain receiving the rules, while the people (who have no relationship with God) are making a golden calf. And the next forty years pretty much sums up rules without relationship!
    For all those who struggle (parents, kids, anyone)… I offer this thought from the venerable Oliver Wendell Holmes: Where you are is not as important as where you’re going!
    My prayer is that we would all go forward… in relationship with the One who loves better than anyone I know!
    Be blessed!

  2. I couldn’t agree more. If the relationship is up to par, the rules will follow. If the relationship is not up to par, the rules tend to be ignored, parenting and God both.

    Thanks for the comment.
    Greg

Luke 21:36 "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

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