The Struggle To Keep God First In The Christian Family Is Real

 

If you’re married, or have kids then you know, the struggle to keep God first in the Christian family is REAL.

We’ve all dreamed of; getting married, having a family and attending church together.

But how many of you know that REALITY always trumps THEORY!

 

Why The Christian Family Struggle Is REAL

Where do we begin with this?

The demands of life have a way of pulling family away from what really matters.

While there are many factors, here are just a few reasons we hear most often.

The Bible Is Not The Final Authority
When we counsel troubled relationships, one of the first questions we ask; is the Bible the final authority in their relationship?

Many couples answer honestly, that they want it to be, but the reality is that it’s not.

One Spouse Feels The Marriage Is Not A Priority
This can be a tough one, as we have seen this from two different perspectives.

One spouse makes the other their God. And has an unhealthy perspective about how much time should be spent together.

In which, everything becomes about making their spouse happy, instead of living to please God.

On the other hand, sometimes one spouse is so concerned about providing for the family, that they really believe they’re prioritizing their family by working.

Finances
When the financial needs of the family begin to weigh each other down, the need to earn more income can potentially interfere with family time.

However, if we’re not careful we can fall into the trap of seeking money instead of seeking God; who is the family’s ultimate provider.

 

“But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.” ~ Matthew 6:33 (AMPC)

 

Children
Between the demands of a newborn or toddler, school or sports schedules, it’s easy to put God or your marriage on the back burner while trying to tend to the needs of our children.

The slippery slope here is that by prioritizing the needs of the children over our relationship with God and our spouse, we’re teaching our kids an unhealthy balance of the Christian family.

Part of our legacy is to leave an inheritance of moral stability.

And we do that, by modeling a balanced life of loving God, our spouses and caring for our children.

“A good man leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children’s children, and the wealth of the sinner [finds its way eventually] into the hands of the righteous, for whom it was laid up.” ~ Proverbs 13:22 (AMPC)

 

In-Laws
This is a touchy one. Many couples find themselves caught between a rock and hard place when one spouse feels obligated to make their parents (or siblings) a priority over their spouse.

While this may come from a place of wanting to honor their family, it is often confused with the priorities of God, once one is married.

If this is not addressed early it can lead to: division, extreme conflict, and steal our peace in our homes.

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall become united and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
~ Genesis 2:24 (AMPC)

Can you relate to any of these yet?

 

What God Says About The Struggle

Although the reasons above are real, it does not negate the fact that those reasons are outside of God’s priorities.

God knows we must work to provide for our families.

He knows that we must take care of our children He has blessed us with.

And God knows we must honor our parents.

However, His word is very clear about His place in our lives!

The Bible tells us in Matthew 10:34-39 in the New Living Translation:

“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.

35 ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 Your enemies will be right in your own household!

37 “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.

38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

You see, no matter how much we love our spouse, our children or our parents there is NO relationship that trumps our relationship with God.

 

How Can We Change The Struggle?

The struggle to keep God first in the Christian family is real; but it doesn’t have to be!

You can learn how to protect your family by intentionally living within the priorities of God.

We all know that God should come first, we just struggle with making Him first.

But when God isn’t first, the Christian family suffers.

Not too mention, we suffer personally when we neglect taking care of ourselves.

And that is NOT God’s best for us!

We all know that God should come first, we just struggle with making Him first! Click To Tweet

How To Intentionally Live Within The Priorities of God

Our purpose at Living Our Priorities is to help inspire others to live within the priorities of God.

Not too long ago, God placed it on our hearts to help our readers be intentional about living within the priorities of God by walking each person through a 5 day journey of focusing on the 5 priorities of God.

The Priority Living eCourse was designed to help you live within the priorities of God by focusing on one priority at a time.

Let’s face it, when we feel like our entire life is out of order, it can be overwhelming to focus on everything at one time.

How Does The Priority Living eCourse Work?
This eCourse is a FREE 5-day email course with a concise focus on one of God’s priorities each day.

Whether you’re married or single, this eCourse will guide you through the principles of God’s priorities; so you can live a balanced life that honors God.

A false balance and unrighteous dealings are extremely offensive and shamefully sinful to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. ~ Proverbs 11:1 (AMPC)

You’ll receive biblical teachings of God’s priority focus for the day and practical application ideas to implement throughout the day.

In The End

God never intended us to do life alone, or to live a life of frustration.

When we intentionally live within the priorities of God, it helps us make time for what matters most; and maintain healthy relationships.

So, if you are being pulled in different directions and finding the struggle to keep God first in your family, we would encourage you to take the FREE PRIORITY LIVING eCourse. And allow us to walk this journey with you!

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~ André and Timberley Gray