Hope For a Dysfunctional Family

Day ninety-nine

I have another crazy busy weekend going on, so I knew exactly what I needed to pray for this morning, the ability to prioritize correctly!  It is easy for me to get caught up in the details and not see the big picture.  The ability to see what is really important would be a great blessing to help me keep on track.  So I thanked the Lord for giving me so many opportunities and asked for His divine help in not losing my way.

Genesis 46-47

The definition of a dysfunctional family is: A family with multiple 'internal'conflicts or 'external' influences that affect the basic needs of the family unit. I think at some point in our lives we all feel like we come from a dysfunctional family.  Especially the teen years!  So I couldn't pass up the opportunity to dig a little deeper into a topic that seems to relate to all of us.

At this point in the story of Jacob's family we have seen sibling rivalry, bullying, hatred, lying, greed, murder, revenge, incest and other wickedness.  Just about every sin that can occur in a family has!  I think it is fair to say that Jacob's family would fit the definition of a dysfunctional family.

There is another side to this story though, the story of Jacob's family is also a story of hope.  Jacob's family was a blessed family.  Yes, blessed.  God had a plan for Jacob.  Remember Jacob spoke with God one night while he was on his way to his uncle’s house (Gen 28) and had another encounter with God on the way back to Bethel. (Gen 32). Those two encounters with Almighty God changed Jacob’s life forever.

"God took a solitary man by the name of Jacob and brought through him the nation of Israel. What appeared to be a family riddled and ruined by dysfunction and tragedy was actually a picture of God’s grace in the making." (Joseph's Family Reunion)

Most people would look at Jacob's family and describe his situation as hopeless.  How many would have given up on their own children had they behaved like Jacob's sons?  Jacob's family might have been part of God’s eternal plan, but they were not perfect. In fact, they were a long way from it! Still, God was able to do His will through these people.

As you read these chapters, remind yourself that the Lord knew every detail and every connection within the family of Jacob. God saw every single thing and He took note of it all. He knew every detail of Jacob’s family. He knew every individual, every sin, every problem, every fear, and every worry. He knew exactly what needed to happen to bring them together in the end.

Take a look at your own family.  It may appear that things are out of control in the lives of those you love, but don't forget that God has a plan for your family too!  He knows everything about your family. He knows every secret you're trying to hide, He knows your strengths and weaknesses. He knows every detail that has made you who you are.  Yet He is still working through you! 

Even with all the imperfections of Jacob's family, God was still able to do amazing things through their experiences.  There was hope for Jacob's family, but it took looking at them through more spiritual eyes and trusting in God to find it. And it took many years for it to all come together, God is patient that way.

We can learn from Jacob's family.  Keep praying for those members in your family that seem to be moving in the wrong direction, ask to see them through more spiritual eyes. Keep being the example that they need us to be. Keep trusting the Lord to do the right thing. He will! He has a plan! Trust Him more, He trusted you enough to give you these challenges! Most of all be patient, God is known for doing things at His own pace,  we need to bend to His will not try to bend Him to ours.  He loves us, which means there will always be hope, even for our own little dysfunctional families!