Handling Family Challenges (2) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Handling Family Challenges (2)

Dear Reader,

You are most welcome to another interesting edition of these series of teachings. Last week, I started a teaching on the topic: Handling Family Challenges. I also defined some terms and gave an example of the challenge of unforgiveness and how to properly handle it in the family. This is  simply through unconditional forgiveness. This week, I shall be showing you another challenge and how to handle it for a successful family life.

There are millions of families hurting because they are ignorant of God’s plan for their family. Some are undergoing untold heartaches, breakdowns and physical combats; yet seeking for peace, joy and fulfilment and at the same time groping in darkness. Some end up breaking up the family only to experience hurts and wounds while others stay married because of the children but go through shameful and hurtful experiences.

God’s utmost desire for married couples and the family unit is peace, joy, fulfilment, expansion and increase. It is no secret that families these last days are under attack (I Timothy 4:1-3). However, God is not caught unawares, but has an escape route prepared for all who are willing to assume responsibility. Since He is the Sole Manufacturer of the union, whatever He says, if followed, produces the best result. The Bible says: And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: (Deuteronomy 28:1).

When you refuse to harken to God’s commandment about a thing, it amounts to pride. It is written: Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).That is why in this edition, I will be teaching on the danger of Pride in the family.


Challenges of Family Life


PRIDE

Pride and destruction are twins; they go hand-in-hand. Wherever you see pride, know that its companion, destruction, is also close by. The devastating effect of pride can be seen in the life of Lucifer. He was the son of the morning, the anointed cherub that covereth. He was beautiful, made of all manner of precious stones, a commander of a third of God’s angels, but the moment God spotted pride in him, He cast him down to hell (Isaiah 14:12-15).

Pride abases. It leads to a fall. It brings destruction. Anytime you give room to pride, you are indirectly inviting destruction. It sets God against a man, because God resists a proud man and if God resists a man, who can help him? The Bible says: Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5). Pride is very devastating. It begins from the heart and has destroyed many homes. My husband often says, if you’re proud, you know it; you don’t need a prophet to tell you. Jesus, the pattern Son, never spoke proudly of Himself, He never boasted. Everything He said and did pointed to God the Father. The Bible says: …Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise (John 5:19). Jesus had cause to brag about His works, humility and kindness, but His eyes were focused on God and on the ones He had come to save.

It is pride that makes a man treat his wife as a slave, because he sees her as nobody but sees himself as the lord of all, and the “lion of the tribe of his home”. Every member of his family is scared of his presence. Some husbands also tend to get carried away with the things they provide in the house and are misled to think, “I am the breadwinner in this house, I do so and so, I give and give and give!” However, when you realise that you have, only because He (God) provided, your language will change. This is one great secret I have learnt from my husband. As we both acknowledge God as the Doer and keep walking in humility, God keeps supplying all our needs. That can become your own testimony too.

It is pride that makes a woman despise her husband, because she is better educated or paid. In fact, some ladies are not married yet, not because no man has shown interest in them, but because pride makes them see the men that come to ask for their hands in marriage as not being up to their standard. They look at them arrogantly and conclude that they cannot cater for them. She wants a man with a big car, a high-paying job, a house, etc. She is so full of herself and thinks she is too much for every man, and, therefore, looks down on them. But, the Word of God says: For who hath despised the day of small things? (Zechariah 4:10). Pride will make such a lady a spinster for life. Walk in humility and God will visit you.

Some parents are stumbling blocks to their children’s marital breakthrough. They size up their daughter’s suitors and conclude that she cannot marry him, perhaps because of his “low” social or academic status. Beware, because pride is a major hindrance to a glorious home.

How Then, Can You Overcome Pride?

The Bible says: The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way (Psalm 25:9). God has nothing to do with the proud and arrogant. The cheapest way to having a sweet home is to make yourself of no reputation. Take on a meek spirit, not minding what name people call you. You have a lot to gain by being meek. God will not only guide you, He will also teach you His ways.

However, for God to guide you and teach you His ways, you have to accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour by being born again. To be born again, say this simple prayer in faith: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored)


Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.