Healing Family Relationships Through AcceptanceSample

The apostle Paul demonstrated this powerful principle of acceptance in his spiritual care for the Christians at the church in Corinth. This church, this spiritual family, was a mess. They were suing each other. They were divided over their favorite pastors. Sexual sin was being ignored, and they were getting drunk during the communion meal. It was not a pretty picture. Paul needed to write to them. He was their pastor and brother in Christ. Here was how he started his second letter: "Our hope for you is unshaken.”

I don't think I would have started my letter like that. How could Paul talk about hope in light of the condition of the church? Paul wrote from a spirit of love and acceptance. We should view our family members in the same way. Let our hope for them be unshaken! This hope is not wishful thinking, but a deep hope in Jesus, who promises to never leave us or forsake us. Paul's hope for his brothers and sisters in Corinth was not naïve or passive. He directly confronted them at every point where it was needed. Yet, his entire letter was wrapped in acceptance and hope.

When we look at our struggling family members, do we maintain an unshaken hope? Or do we give in to despair and cynicism? "He'll never change." "She always messes up." "This is just how they are." These statements reflect a lack of hope. But when we place our hope in God's power to transform lives, we can maintain an unshaken confidence that makes healing and growth possible.

This doesn't mean we ignore reality. Paul certainly didn't. But it means we view our family's struggles through the lens of God's redemptive power rather than human limitation.

Reflection Question: For which family member do you need God to give you an "unshaken hope" despite current struggles or painful patterns? Pray for the Lord to give you new hope for that struggling relationship.