So, I come from a family that has not only been broken, but shattered. A family where dysfunction was normal. So normal it was expected. As a result, I found myself not expecting more from my family. I lumped every person and situation in to a box labeled “Dysfunctional.” Every negative association I could think of was attached to that label and to my family. I even began to put God’s ability to transform and reconcile in a box. My thoughts were, well this is how they are, this is how they will be, and this is how we are as a family. My thoughts and feelings caused me to rarely bring their situation to God in prayer. The times that I did intercede with God on their behalf apart of me doubted. Most of the time I was not waiting in exception. The only expectation I had was that even if God answered my prayer they will go back to the dysfunctional norm and at best we will have a relationship but it would not be healthy.

I was driving to visit my brother once and had an emotional breakdown in prayer. As I was praying God began revealing to me the boastfulness, lack of humility, and pride in my life in relation to my family. My scripture reading that morning was Luke 16. During my prayer time that morning the Holy Spirit highlighted verse 15 that says, Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God. As I was praying during the drive He brought to remembrance this verse.

In that moment I repented. I realized how I was so busy looking at the speck of dust in everyone else’s eye, I couldn’t see the log in my own. I was so full of “righteousness”that I didn’t bring this part of my heart to God for cleansing. I was such a fool!

Questions:

Is there any one or any situation that you have put into a box? That you have written off?

Have you put God in a box? Is there a situation or a person that you think He can’t change?

Is there any thing you need to repent of?