Dear Reader,
Welcome to the concluding part of this teaching. I believe you now have a better understanding of the things that are against the success of your family, and you have decided to take appropriate action. This week, we will continue with the topic, Enemies of Family Success.
Let us examine two more enemies of the success of the family:
Anger. This is a strong feeling of annoyance and hostility. It is human to get angry at one time or the other. However, it becomes inhuman when you allow the feeling to take over you, thereby affecting your sense of reasoning and leading you to sin. The Word says: Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath (Ephesians 4:26). So, if you are angry, don’t let it lead you into sin by nursing your grudge. Don’t let the day end with the anger still in you; get over it quickly.
When you hold on to anger, you open the door to sin. If you get upset about how your spouse does certain things at certain times, instead of exploding and speaking cruel words, which can cause irreparable damage, control your emotions and take a walk or go to the prayer closet until your anger simmers down.
Also, some people try to suppress their anger by swallowing it, pretending everything is all right. Bottling up anger is risky, and an explosion is only a matter of time. Therefore, you can let off steam by discussing the issue at the right time or better still, pray to God about it. It is important to note that anger can destroy, as in the case of Simeon and Levi. The Word says: Simeon and Levi are brethren … Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel (Genesis 49:5, 7; see also Ecclesiastes 7:9; Matthew 5:22). Anger must be dealt with if you want to avoid the shame that division and scattering bring to a family. Anger puts asunder faster than fornication. Learn to control yourself.
Bitterness. This starts from very little things that might have caused you hurt by any member of your family, and you refuse to forgive and forget. Every time you remember the incident, you are hurt all over again. Watch it! That is a root of bitterness springing up gradually. It will eventually lead to trouble if it is not nipped in the bud. The Word says: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up, trouble you and thereby many be defiled (Hebrews 12:15). Once bitterness gains access into your heart, it will magnify itself and dominate you. You lose your rest to troubles, malice and disagreements. Bitterness blocks every access to God’s blessings upon you and your family and seeks to steal and frustrate the grace of God. Also, it is an unholy act that rubs you of God’s holy presence and usually has the price of unforgiveness. The Bible says: Let all bitterness… be put away from you, with all malice (Ephesians 4:3). To do this, you must forgive those who have offended you, forgive and forget completely so you live a peaceful and burden-free life. The principle of instant forgiveness has helped me a great deal. My husband and I practice it, and it has paid off for us. It pays to forgive!
Therefore, having a successful family starts with having God at the centre of your home. So, if you are not born again, please say this prayer of faith: Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner, and I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. From today, Lord Jesus, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I am Born Again.
Congratulations! You are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave or forsake you. With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace, in Jesus’ name! Please write or call to share your testimonies with me through oyedepofaitha@gmail.com OR 08141320204 and 07026385437.
For more insight, these books, authored by me, are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian Bookstores: Building a Successful Family,Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Success in Marriage (Co-Authored with Bishop David Oyedepo), Success Strategies (Bishop David Oyedepo), and The Wisdom that Works (Bishop David Oyedepo).
