How Can Family Reunions Be Kept Joyful?

Today we think of holidays as an occasion to be on vacation with family or friends – a time when rivalries of childhood and adolescence give way to maturity and growing compatibilities. Much has been written about family dynamics, which include communications and interactions.

The development of maturity and compatibility is encouraged by the requirements of adolescence and adulthood. Moving toward maturity is part of our physical and emotional development while pride and arrogance delay the development of maturity. According to Proverbs 16:18, “Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to ruin.”

Holidays can be joyful by following the counsel of Proverbs 16:23. “A wise man’s heart guides his mouth and makes his lips persuasive.” So focus on compatibilities that exist within the family rather than disruptive differences. This is good advice for peaceful, happy family get-togethers.

                  

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Kind words are like honey – sweet to the taste and good for your health.

~Proverbs 16:24 Good News Bible

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Don't Be Foolish ~ Be Patient

God’s plan for Samson was the deliverance of his people from the ruling Philistines. God equipped Samson for this task, but his impatience and impulsivity would sabotage God’s objectives. This clearly illustrates that we can impede God’s purpose for us, but at the cost of tremendous regret and sorrow.

God gave Samson unusual strength that became activated when the power of the Lord was present to help him escape crises that he himself tended to create. His sharp intelligence was used to manipulate others, sometimes for fun because he was mischievous and at other times for personal and political benefits.

God expects us to be accountable for using his wonderful gifts and blessings. The Apostle Paul gives us this reminder from Romans 12:3: “By the grace of God given to me I tell you not to think you are better than you are, but measure yourself with sober judgement, according to the degree of faith God has assigned to you.” Good advice. Act on it!  

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Patience is better than pride! Don’t be quick tempered – that is being a fool!

~Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 The Living Bible

Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud.

~1 Corinthians 13:4 Good News Bible

Love is so patient and so kind. Love never boils with jealousy.

It never boasts, is never puffed with pride.

~1 Corinthians 13:4 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

Trade in Your Pride for Peace

Forgiveness is a wonderful thought, but difficult to accomplish. While you believe forgiveness is the right thing to do, resistance may surround you like a heavily guarded fortress blocking the way forward. Forgiveness is often locked up inside invisible walls accompanied by strong feelings of pride and arrogance.



Pride prevents us from being humble enough to make apologies for causing pain and suffering to others. Some erroneously believe that giving up their pride to secure forgiveness would lead to their downfall. This gives credibility to the old cliché, “Pride goes before the fall.” In truth, arrogance or being overconfident is what leads to failure.

Isaiah 2:11 speaks to the issue of pride. "A day is coming when human pride will be ended, and human arrogance destroyed. Then the Lord alone will be applauded.”  Pride can cut you off from reconciliation and peace. Open yourself to the cleansing power of Christ so you will be able to give or receive forgiveness today.

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Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall.

~Proverbs 16:18 Good News Bible

It’s common knowledge that, “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”

~James 4:6 The Message

Live in harmony with each other. Do not be arrogant, but associate with humble people. Do not think that you are wiser than you really are.

~Romans 12:16 International Standard Version

Redeeming Bad Choices - Part 1

Jesus tells about a young man demanding freedom from the restrictions of a family system he refused to accept. He believed his inheritance would be the means for funding fulfillment and happiness. Lacking the maturity for making wise choices, he soon found himself in a financial crisis.

Realizing he could never return as a son of privilege, he nevertheless chose to go home and face failure by acknowledging his bad choices. At this point his attitude reminds me of another story Jesus told about two men, a religious leader and a tax collector who went to the temple to pray. The religious leader thanked God he was not like ordinary, sinful men.

The tax collector stood back, refused to look up, and pleaded with God to have mercy on him, for he was an undeserving, sinful man. The tax collector possessed an attitude of humility, which is absent of pride and arrogance. Psalm 25:9 reminds us God restores and guides the humble. This is your choice.