Family Peace: Putting God in Charge - Part 3

Most people desire enjoyment and pleasure which derive from many sources. Pleasure also is derived from knowing you're independent and able to provide for yourself and those you love. What brings peace and joy to a person or family is believing in God's word, worshiping in private and in community, taking time to pray, and having good clean fun.

British philosopher Bertrand Russell gave us this perspective. "Next to enjoying ourselves, the next greatest pleasure consists in preventing others from enjoying themselves in the acquisition of power." By voting, we grant power to individuals of integrity and trustworthiness, not for their enjoyment, but for what keeps our nation safe and prosperous.

God holds his abounding power over us. Yet his unconditional love gives us power to choose how we live. Is St. Paul's prayer from Ephesians 3:16 something you desire? "I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner self." By God's power you choose to make a life in which you are secure in your inner self. 

Family Peace: Putting God in Charge - Part 1

Seeking a balance of power has always been a struggle for a nation and   for families. Negotiating this balance is preferred to power struggles that strive for  dominance. Power struggles tend to damage each person's integrity, which in turn jeopardize the trust and respect that anchor a relationship. Without trust and respect, a relationship is in danger of eroding.

Strong healthy couples learn to honor each other's need for power that is embodied in their gifts and talents. Honoring each other's need for power recognizes a need for independence that compliments the need for dependence. Acknowledging and accepting each other's strengths calms the fears and insecurities that are intertwined with power struggles.

Communication centered on healthy discussion opens a way for making choices which are based on trust and respect. Trust and respect assume each person will act with integrity and honesty. Proverbs 11:13 acknowledges that. "You can put your confidence in someone who is trustworthy." Becoming trustworthy is a choice God will honor.