Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- June 13, 2013
“Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.Genesis 37:3-4.
Do you outwardly favor one of your children over another? Have you used a phrase like, “I wish you were more like your sister, she always gets an A on her tests?” If so, you are in danger of creating an environment that fosters rivalry between your children. Sad is a child who thinks they have to live up to a sister or brother’s unreachable standard.
Jealousy jabs at the heart and causes a child to react angrily toward the object of their parent’s affection. Since they don’t feel like they measure up, they try to discredit the favored sibling or they create chaos to draw attention to themselves. It is disheartening to see even grown children remain in a state of fierce competition. Cruelty needs to be replaced with calmness—and anger with forgiveness, patience and love.
“Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke than hidden love” (Proverbs 27:4-5).
Is there chronic conflict between your children? Is it to the point that they are becoming a poor testimony to the model of Christ’s caring approach to relationships? If so, consider creating boundaries in the home that help prevent disrespectful—even mean behavior. Start early on and instill disciplinary actions for disrespect, dishonesty and disobedience.
Perhaps you are one of the few Christians in your family and other family members treat you as suspect or strange. If so, prayerfully use your position of integrity to invest unconditional love and acceptance into their lives. Serve them unselfishly and forgive their insults expressed by their insecure attitudes and actions. You know better and they don’t.
“Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace” (Acts 7:9-10).
Eventually you may be in a position to crush or care for your siblings—it is of course God’s will that you extend compassion and forgiveness toward them. When those who should love you the most treat you unfairly—forgive them—and model the gracious way or our Lord Jesus Christ. God chose your family for you to influence them for Him.
“But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them” (Genesis 50:19-21).
Prayer: How can I embrace and celebrate the accomplishments of my siblings?
Related Readings: Job 42:11; Luke 14:26; Acts 13:45; 2 Corinthians 12:20
Post/Tweet today: Sad is a child who thinks they have to live up to a sibling’s unattainable standard. #rivalary
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You have no idea how I look forward to getting your devotionals every morning. They are wise, and I find that they ground me for the day (and that takes a few good anchors!). Thank you very much.
Thanks Jane for your encouragement! A fellow servant of Jesus, Boyd
My two sons are very bright but have always had their differences. It is unfortunate that the older one did not come to faith in the strong way the younger one did as did their sister. The younger brother and sister had always been close when little, grew apart in grade school when the brother “learned” he wasn’t “supposed” to like his sister, then became close as they became strong Christians. Older brother has always had issues with “the truth” which has caused problems for us in parenting him (was this a “stage” or a problem that would go on a long time?, etc). While somewhat secretly they would eachlike to be close to each other and as parents we have tried to let them know how much they are BOTH loved for their individual characteristics, they can’t make that jump into friendship with each other. I’ve expressed my love for them each for who they are but it is hard for them to accept. I am hopeful this devotional skill reach each of them in a way I’ve not been able to do. I feel it must be the right thing as Satan seemed to attack my attempt by causing me to lose it, something that rarely happens! Thank you for allowing me access to it again. It has blessed me. I hope they are each blessed in a way that will reach them as only God knows how.