We all have those family members (or friends) who treat us unkindly. Something in the past has caused them to have some type of hatred or even jealousy towards you and your family. This person may choose to not speak with you and exclude themselves from things that you all use to enjoy doing as a family. The person may not be directly treating you with harsh things but the simple fact that they have removed themselves from your life can dishearten you.
A lot of times when family members (and even friends) start treating you unfairly or excluding you, they do it based on an event that occurred that they aren’t fully aware of the details. This person will not come to you and ask you the details, they will just sit back and let the hatred build up over time. This type of behavior is not healthy, nor biblical, and can cause an entire family to crumble.
So, what are we to do when these family members, or friends, treat us with this type of attitude?
The answer is simple… We love them and pray for them (Matt 5:44).
We are to remain in Christ’s image. We are not to retaliate against them and treat them as they have treated you. We are to be patient, prayerful, and treat them as we want them to treat us.
If you are struggling with a relative or friend that has been neglecting or mistreating you physically or emotionally, please reach out to someone. You can reach out to any of our amazing Christian family and talk with us and let us pray with you. Surround yourself with love.
If you are on the opposite end and are the one that has been purposely abusing your relationship with a relative or friend, I encourage you to also reach out to someone. Reach out to that person, get details on the situation that caused you to have neglect towards them. The Bible commands us to go to our brother or sister in Christ if we have controversies with them (Matt 18:15). Having hatred towards someone else is a sin. We are to love each other just as Christ loves us.
God is Good.
Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
30 Second Thoughts 