Ummm\u2026girls can we be real with each other, like really real with each other-especially in this chapter of our book.\u00a0 Nobody comes from a perfect family.\u00a0 As much as the idea of living in a huge home with a white picket fence around it appeals to each and every one of us; truth-be told if you took down the walls of that house: inside it wouldn\u2019t be all roses and gumdrops!\u00a0 NO WAY and can you imagine if it was, you would never have a need for God now that would make for one sad and lonely household.<\/p>\n
One thing I have learned from trials in my own family is that when they come (and trust me they will) they make me realize that I need God on a moment by moment basis.\u00a0 If we went through life without pain how would we know joy?\u00a0 If we went through like without feeling hopeless how would we know the amazing feeling of hope that comes from God alone?\u00a0 Family trials are not intended to destroy us or break our families apart; they can be used to grow closer to God and for us to come to terms with the fact that we always need Him.<\/strong>\u00a0 The Lord is here for us, he desires to help us.\u00a0 Do you believe that today?<\/p>\n Hebrews 4:16: <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Do you understand this verse?\u00a0 Sometimes I think back to my teen years and remember not fully understanding most of what I heard in church.\u00a0 Let\u2019s break apart this verse and try to figure out why it is so important to seek GOD alone in our struggles with family.<\/p>\n Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.\u00a0 <\/b>How do we come boldly to God?\u00a0 We do this when we pray.\u00a0 We think of the requests we have.\u00a0 I know when I was your age I prayed a lot that my sister and I would get along.\u00a0 I prayed that my brother would not be mean to me.\u00a0 I prayed that my parents would not argue as much.\u00a0 These prayers did not seem like a big deal.\u00a0 I did not expect anything to come from these requests.\u00a0 When we pray to God, when we seek Him for help, we must be bold.\u00a0 We must not be afraid to share with God exactly what is on our minds or hearts.\u00a0 After all, God already knows what you are thinking so do not be afraid for one minute to approach God with your requests.\u00a0 This is not just anybody we are approaching here-it is God and more than that it is our GRACIOUS God.\u00a0 The one who gives generously and the one who loves to hear from us.\u00a0 When you have a trial in your family first bring your requests boldly and with confidence to our gracious God who loves you so much!<\/p>\n There we will receive his mercy.\u00a0 <\/b>Mercy is compassion or forgiveness.\u00a0 <\/b>When we turn to God with confidence we are turning to our Friend.\u00a0 As our Friend, God has compassion on us and He forgives us for all of the times that we mess up big time.\u00a0 If we so freely receive HIS forgiveness for the times we mess up big time (lying, not being kind, raising our voice, disobeying our parents, etc.) shouldn\u2019t we do the same for our family members and everyone else for that matter when they hurt us?\u00a0 The answer is yes just so you know.\u00a0 Trust me, I know this is not an easy task.\u00a0 When we are in the middle of that long drawn out voice raising battle with our parents the last thing we want to do is forgive them for the hurtful words said.\u00a0 Do not be discouraged if this seems impossible.\u00a0 When we come to God and share with Him our hurt, it is God who then helps us to show mercy to that same person who hurt us.\u00a0 We know how amazing God\u2019s forgiveness is, and we should desire for others to experience His forgiveness too.\u00a0 When we choose to forgive them, they are able to experience a sliver of His forgiveness!<\/p>\n We will find grace to help us when we need it most.\u00a0 <\/b>Grace and mercy go hand in hand.\u00a0 God\u2019s grace though is one of the absolute coolest things.\u00a0 I do not know if you know this or not but when we mess up and God loves us still-that is His grace at his finest.\u00a0 How many times have you gotten into a fight with your parents?\u00a0 When you are in the fight the last thing you are thinking is you love each other.\u00a0 BUT\u00a0after hours or days you realize you really do still love\u00a0one another.\u00a0 Well, kind of the same thing with God: except God loves us no matter what, it does not take him hours or days to come around, he loves us in the moment, no matter what that moment may be.\u00a0 Because God loves us that much and because He is in that moment with us, we have access to His help instantly.\u00a0 You are not alone.\u00a0 God is waiting patiently for you to seek Him for help.\u00a0 He will always help you.\u00a0 This is a promise from God.<\/p>\n As I said earlier, trials in our families will come that is certain!\u00a0 It is up to us to let God in to help us through each trial.\u00a0 I encourage you to share this post with your family today.\u00a0 I encourage you to make a pact to one another that when the messes in life happen, that you will vow to live out this verse by seeking God first for help to have mercy and grace for one another.\u00a0 God blessed you with each one of your family members to do life with.\u00a0 Let us thank Him for their purpose in your life and make the most of the days you have to spend together!<\/p>\n Let\u2019s Pray:<\/strong>\u00a0 Lord, I thank you so much for family.\u00a0 I thank you for giving us whoever we have in our families to love and be there for each other.\u00a0 I thank you that we can turn to you when we need you and you will always be there for us!\u00a0 I am so glad that you hear us when we pray to you.\u00a0 Let us remember to seek you for help and remember to offer others grace even when we feel they do not deserve it because you offer us grace every day!\u00a0 We love you so much!\u00a0 Amen.<\/p>\n Love you girls!!<\/p>\n Diane<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n For the A Daughter\u2019s Worth<\/i> Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website from clicking the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage.<\/p>\n