From the Cross: Family Conflict

by David Chadwick

Family conflict is our next burden that was brought up and laid at the foot of the cross. Few live this life without it! It could be with a sibling, an absent or abusive dad, a controlling mom, a crazy cousin, or a demanding aunt or uncle.

So, how do we handle this?

First, realize that family conflict has been going on since the beginning of time. Right after the Fall in Genesis 3, do you remember what happened? A family conflict! Cain hated his brother so much that he murdered him. For starters, you can count your blessings that your situation has not resulted in death! Now keep reading the rest of Genesis. Conflict between Ishmael and Isaac, a brawl between Jacob and Esau, and then between Jacob and his sons. How about Joseph with his brothers? More conflict! And that is just in the book of Genesis! If you keep reading through Exodus, you’ll see Moses’s tension with his brother Aaron, at times his sister Miriam, and even with his wife! This is not a new problem, so don’t be surprised!

Second, you must recognize that family conflict is rooted in sin. The Bible says that the heart is deceitful above all (Jeremiah 17:9). As much as possible, live at peace with one another (Romans 12:18), but realize that sometimes sin patterns keep that from happening. You don’t get to pick your family like you do your friends. While you can’t control others, you can control yourself and you can determine how you are going to interact with and respond to unhealthy people. It’s okay to distance yourself from sinful dynamics that are detrimental to your own health or the health of your family. It’s fine to distance yourself from destructive people.

For instance, if a family member is an addict, you may need to examine yourself to see if you are being manipulated to remain codependent with them at the expense of your own health. Sometimes in unhealthy familial dynamics, the healthy individual ends up carrying the burden and weight of the situation. You become the problem when you’re trying to solve the problem! You must guard yourself against that!

In all things, you must choose love. Even when it feels someone is an enemy, remember that Jesus calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). Before coming into the faith, we, too, were enemies of God and while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:1-11). You can never go wrong when you operate in love. Just make sure your love is not being manipulated for someone else’s gain, which only leaves you in more pain.

Today’s Prayer of Confession: Father God, deliver me from evil. Remove the effects of family conflict and replace it with LOVE (1 Corinthians 13) and CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD (Proverbs 14:26).

From the Cross: Health Issues

by David Chadwick

Health issues are another thing that many people in our church brought up to lay at the foot of the cross last Easter. This is such a big and nagging problem. We have found ourselves living in a world that is full of sickness and brokenness.

We all have only one body that is given to us on this side of eternity. We are one person with three parts: body, soul, and spirit. We must care for all three parts of our being as we live in this broken world. I believe care for the temple is one of the most overlooked and under taught topics in the western church. If we believe in Jesus, we must hunger after shalom, which means wholeness or peace, in every area, including physical health.

Nagging physical problems are very prevalent in our society. Joint pain, inflammation, brain fog, coughs, colds, and so forth. In facing ailments, we must first recognize that God has designed our bodies to be incredibly resilient and to be able to heal themselves if we give them the proper context to do so.

So, practically speaking, give your bodies the best opportunity to heal. Look at what you are eating and drinking. Are you eating real foods or food-like products? Are you drinking enough water or consuming nothing but sodas and alcohol? Are you staying away from foods that cause inflammation? Then, make sure you are moving your bodies. Find ways to get your heart rate up, to stretch, and to strengthen yourself. Some of the “experts” I have read say that 20-30 minutes of walking per day can go a long way in keeping the body healthy.

After taking inventory of your rhythms, we must all realize that sooner or later, each one of us will die. The statistics are concrete. 1 out of 1 person will die! So you must walk confidently in Christ, believing that your sins are forever forgiven and death holds no power over you. Paul said that to live is Christ and to die is gain. You will conquer death and walk in victory if your life is in Christ and Christ is in you! You will live in a perfect resurrection body, forever healed, and forever glorifying your Savior. So you should never fear death (1 Corinthians 15)!

Now, live in peace. Pursue shalom. Enjoy every second with family and friends. Live every moment in Christ, the lover of your soul. Forgive quickly. Love deeply. Then, as this body ages and becomes weaker, you will simply find yourself looking forward to your eternal resurrection body!

Today’s Prayer of Confession: Father God, deliver me from evil. Remove fear of health issues and replace it with SHALOM…wholeness for my health (John 14:27).

From the Cross: Financial Problems

by David Chadwick

Financial problems are another real angst in people’s lives. I would say that financial problems are typically what I would call a fruit issue more than a root issue. Usually the problems arise because of something going on at a deeper heart level. It could be worry, bad stewardship, lack of personal responsibility and discipline, fear, laziness, or just a pure attack from the enemy. Whatever the root issue is, debt and financial tensions can really overwhelm the human heart!

Did you know that financial problems are mentioned in the Bible—especially in the book of Proverbs? Clearly God knew that we would need guidance in this area. As a side note, if financial management is something that you are struggling with, I would strongly encourage you to seek out people who are trained to help in this area. Our church offers this kind of financial help through one of our elders, Michael Ballard. I know many other churches who offer this as well.

Here are a few practical tips.

First, you must be aggressive in budgeting and self-control. List your income and assets. Then your debts. Be really honest with yourself. After that, create a plan to get rid of debt and start to build up savings. You may have to downsize some areas of your life like unnecessary shopping or dining out. You must determine not to let debt be your God!

Secondly, giving helps! The tithe has been found to be an enemy of debt and financial mismanagement. Malachi 3:8-10 and Luke 6:48 seem to suggest that generosity opens the windows of heaven for GOD to supply you with his abundance as you attack the debt problems in your life. As my wife loves to say, “Sow a seed to your need!” Something happens when you sacrifice in your greatest place of pain. Surrender always paves the way for salvation and miracles.

Here is the bottom line: God wants to be God in your life. When you feel a desire to be generous, God doesn’t want you to first ask the god of debt if you are allowed to be generous. Be persistent and remain committed to kill the god of debt in your life. It really can be done! We have seen it! It may take time, energy, and discipline but the end result of being out of debt makes the fight so worth it!

Today’s Prayer of Confession: Father God, deliver me from evil. Remove financial problems and replace it with ABUNDANCE to be able to freely give to those around me (Proverbs 11:24).