kpingles
indice de estudios FAMILY HAPPINESS  

(Gary Patton)

For a family to enjoy happiness in its relationship, it must have a deep respect for God's plan for the home. Happiness in the family begins with a proper relationship between husband and wife. This relationship must be based upon the principles revealed in Ephesians 5:22-23. This passage first indicates that there must be a standard of authority to be followed. Just as Christ is the head of the church, the husband is to be head of the wife, and therefore, the head of the family. This is not to be a relationship of cruel dominance by the husband or jealousy for not having more authority by the wife, but a relationship where the wife is respectful and loving in this subjection to her husband. The husband is told that he must love and cherish her, even to the point of giving his life for her. When God's plan is followed, happiness can be found in the family relationship that only God can give.

Most families are blessed with children and as they mature, once again God's plan needs to be followed by all concerned -- whether it is the parent or child. A feeling often heard expressed by young people is, "I can't seem to be able to please my parents." This is a genuine problem in the minds of many young people. Sometimes it is the fault of the parents because of a failure to fulfill their true responsibility to the children. Accomplishments go unnoticed, expressions of love and care go unspoken, always correcting, never praising. We as parents have a great two-fold responsibility in rearing our children.

First, we are to "provoke not your children to wrath" and secondly, "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." The idea conveyed in the words translated "provoke not" carries with it the idea not to break the spirit, or destroy one's will or desire. Parents must correct and punish, but it must be done in love. It must be done according to God's way.

Sometimes the problem of not being able to please one's parents is the fault of young people and not the parents. The important question a young person must find an answer to in order to please his parents is, "What makes one pleasing in the sight of his parents?" To find the answer to this question, we must go to the foundation of all truth -- the Bible. In Ephesians 6:1 we read, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord." The truth expressed here is that obedience is a must. Joseph was an obedient son and was loved by his father, Jacob. David was obedient to his father, thus demonstrating a trait that brings love from parents.

Jesus as a child was obedient to His parents in that He respected the authority of His earthly parents as well as that of His Heavenly Father. The proper motivation for obedience is respect for authority. If young people will demonstrate proper respect for authority by obeying their parents without arguing and complaining, and if that respect for parental authority is exercised when they are out of sight of their parents, then great joy is in the heart of a parent. The way to truly please one's parents is to show respect for authority in the home, at school, to the government, and most importantly, true respect for the authority of God and His word.

One's respect for authority is shown in whether or not obedience is present. Obey God, obey parents, "obey them that rule over you," as long as it doesn't conflict with God's law, and your family life will be happier and everybody will be a lot easier to get along with.

Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you’” (Acts 17:22,23).

 

 
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