4 Secrets To Make Your Family Happier
by Harold & Bette Gillogly
Are you longing for your normal routine? Haven’t seen much of that for months now, have we? Not with this Covid-19 virus still going strong. Have you noticed that family life can really get out of whack without our “normal routines”?
We want to offer you 4 “secrets” you can put into practice right now that will make your family a lot happier, even with your “normal routines” out the window. These are straight out of the Word of God, so we know they can be trusted.
- Settle your disagreements quickly – Philippians 4:2-3. Don’t let them simmer. Don’t let them grow underground. Don’t act like they will magically disappear if you ignore them. Settle them. In this Scripture, Paul pleads with a couple of ladies to “settle your disagreements” because you belong to the Lord. There’s nothing He can’t help you work through. Nothing He can’t help you forgive. Learn these three statements, swallow your pride, and use them liberally: I was wrong. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?
- Choose to be thankful and joyful – Philippians 4:4. Yes…Choose! You can choose to be a complainer. Or you can choose to be thankful. You can choose to be grumpy. Or you can choose to be joyful. Having a grateful spirit and being joyful go hand in hand. Choose to be grateful, and you will find yourself beginning to have joy. Don’t be like those cranky Israelites in the wilderness. They even complained about being given “magic bread” to eat. “And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord” (Numbers 11:1). Sure, you can choose to be a grumpy complainer, but if you do, you will be breaking God’s heart.
- Be obviously considerate – Philippians 4:5. Paul says, “Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.” So be obvious about being considerate. Go out of your way to be considerate. You can be an example to your family of how to be considerate. None of us are born with a “considerate gene.” We have to learn how to be considerate of others. To put others first. To not have to be in control and have our own way. Being selfish is the exact opposite of being considerate.
- Remember that Jesus could come back at any minute – Philippians 4:5b. We forget this, don’t we? We don’t often think about what we want Him to catch us doing. So…what DO you want Jesus to catch you doing? Do you want Him to catch you being humble enough to settle disagreements? Being thankful and joyful? Letting go of your own wants and being considerate of others? If you do, then you are going to have to make these characteristics consistently true of yourself.
And, of course, you can only do that by allowing God’s Holy Spirit to change your heart and make you more like His Son. But if you will do this, you are guaranteed a happier family… and a much happier YOU.