Loving Your Family — and In-Laws

How would you rate your relationships with your family? It’s sad to have to say that most family relationships are not what God desires them to be. Many times, we do things that hurt our parents or family members. And, at other times, one of them does something to hurt us. That’s often the way it is in a family. And that’s also the way alienation begins.

I recently heard of a mother and daughter who hadn’t spoken to each other in over 30 years. What a loss for those two family members! And compounding this tragic sin were the many grandchildren who had never seen their grandparents, not to mention grandparents who had never seen their flesh and blood grandchildren. Oh, what a loss!

Dear friend, don’t let this happen in your marriage. You can’t change another family member’s heart toward you, but you can surely change yours. Ask God to heat up your heart toward your family members. Take to heart Paul’s advice from Romans 12:18 and make the effort to “live peaceably with all men,” including your family and in-laws. Then go the next step and make things right between you.

In your family relationships, be the …
Mature one who chooses to have a heart of forgiveness.
Kind one who prays for your loved ones.
Friendly one who reaches out and makes an effort to have God’s kind of relationship.

And don’t forget to draw upon the resources of prayer, the Word of God, and the power and fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). By God’s grace, you can extend love to your family!

Are you wondering what to do about a complicated relationship? Don’t guess about the next step and hope for the best. Proverbs for a Woman’s Day by Elizabeth George gives you a clear view of the right path as you follow God’s wisdom found in the book of Proverbs.

Read Loving Your Family — and In-Laws on Elizabeth & Jim George.


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Jim and Elizabeth George

Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:

  • Simplify life by focusing on God’s priorities.
  • Appreciate God’s Word and apply it to everyday situations.
  • Respond to circumstances with confidence by seeing yourself through God’s loving eyes.
  • Increase closeness in marriage by serving and honoring each other.
  • Powerfully shape the hearts of children and teenagers.
  • Enjoy greater intimacy with God.

Learn more about Jim and Elizabeth George here.

Jim and Elizabeth George

Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:

  • Simplify life by focusing on God’s priorities.
  • Appreciate God’s Word and apply it to everyday situations.
  • Respond to circumstances with confidence by seeing yourself through God’s loving eyes.
  • Increase closeness in marriage by serving and honoring each other.
  • Powerfully shape the hearts of children and teenagers.
  • Enjoy greater intimacy with God.

Learn more about Jim and Elizabeth George here.


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