Over the years I have counseled with thousands of people from all walks of life. From the poor to the rich, from the young to the old, regardless of their social standing, I have discovered that many people have problems at holiday reunions and family get-togethers.

Uncle Bob, Aunt June, Cousin Alice, and sister-in-law Thelma may be the nicest people in the world 364 days a year, but no matter what the occasion (Christmas, birthday celebration, or a simple family reunion), the fangs and claws come out and they become ruthless.

What's Your Family Like?
It is true that there are many good, solid wholesome families that enjoy getting together at the holiday season. If your family is like this, be thankful and count your blessing because for many, the thought of getting together with family creates stress and pain.

This should not be.

God loves families. After all, He created them. God's plan for your family is peace and stability. Your family should be a place like an oasis. God did not intend for families to argue and fight.

So what causes family division? The answer is quite simple.

God is not the author of confusion. God is not divisive and God does not promote division. The devil, on the other hand, seeks to divide, destroy, and disburse families.

Keep God In The Family
If you are having problems with your family, then follow these steps and I guarantee peace will be yours.

1. See your family the way God sees them. God sees them worthy of His Son's death.
   
2. Be gracious in your speech even when others are not gracious to you. In other words, do not allow any one else's pride, haughtiness, greed, or slander affect your words. If the devil can get you to change what you say, because of what others say, then he has won.
   
3. You must know that your life is not about you. Your life is about Him and them. If you always place Him and them first, then your relationships will be in the right perspective.
   
4. Have a good time no matter what. Choose to enjoy your family whether they enjoy you or not. After all, you only have one family and you're stuck with it. So make the most of it. (Yes, I am talking about your attitude, here!)
   
5. Use common sense. If Uncle Harry goes ballistic when you mention politics, then avoid politics and don't allow yourself to be drawn in to a fruitless argument.
   
6. Lighten up. Don't go to the reunion with a "spirit of heaviness and dread" upon you. Pray in the Spirit on your way to the reunion and allow the refreshing of the Holy Spirit to be upon you.
   
7. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:16).

Follow these simple steps and family happiness will be yours.

Copyright © Larry Ollison Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.