Happy Family Day!

By Rick Carrol

Do you ever find that your family is the most wonderful gift, and yet the source of some of your most challenging experiences in life?

Many times, those who know us best will say things to us, or point something out that may have some truth to it, but their words are hurtful because they shared their thoughts with us in a very raw, and perhaps brutally honest way.

It’s not just because the truth can hurt – it’s because we aren’t always great at sharing truthful things in loving ways.

The Bible describes your brothers and sisters of faith as a family – and church families can also bring us great joy and struggle.

In Galatians 6:2, the Apostle Paul teaches us that as a family, we should “share each other’s burdens” – not point out each other’s flaws! And if one of us does need help, the way to correct is both gentle and humble.

If we could figure out how to share important discussions in gentle and humble ways, our homes would become safe places where family members bring us joy, rather than becoming sources of conflict.