21 Days to Building a Faith Filled Family - Audio DevotionalSample

Recognizing and Addressing Negative Family Patterns

Welcome to Day 8 of our journey dedicated to building strong and healthy Christian families. I’m delighted you're here.

Allow me to pray for us as we begin.

Heavenly Father, we come before you today with open hearts, seeking your guidance in revealing any negative family patterns that we may be carrying with us. We ask for the grace and love to address these patterns and seek your help in establishing healthy and thriving family relationships. We are grateful that, regardless of the family we grew up in, you have welcomed us into your family. Amen.

As we begin, I encourage you to fully dedicate this next 15 minutes to Jesus. Limit any and all distractions that you can and find a comfortable location. If you’re listening to the audio, let my voice guide you.

Today we’re going to talk about recognizing and addressing negative family patterns.

Take a moment to reflect on the family patterns you encountered in your upbringing. This might feel weighty, but take a minute to think about your family of origin. Were there any negative patterns that you witnessed or experienced?

[PAUSE TO REFLECTION]

Family patterns can take on a positive or negative nature, and they can significantly influence how we interact with our loved ones. These patterns are often passed down from one generation to the next and can be challenging to recognize.

However, it's crucial to step back and evaluate the dynamics of our family relationships to pinpoint any negative patterns that might hinder our growth and connection.

Negative family patterns include aspects like unhealthy communication styles, codependency, addiction, abuse, and neglect. These patterns can cause significant pain and dysfunction within a family and lead to long-term damage.

If some of these patterns or behaviors were present in your upbringing, I’m sorry. I’m sorry that you had to endure experiences like this. The heart of the Lord turns to you and you are seen by Him.

It's essential to realize that recognizing negative family patterns doesn't imply blaming or shaming anyone within our family. It simply involves acknowledging our reality and taking steps to promote healing through God. And to implement healthier and more positive patterns for ourselves and our loved ones in our current families.

One way to address negative family patterns is to seek assistance from a qualified therapist or counselor who can help us through the process of healing and growth. Additionally, we can turn to God for guidance and support, asking Him to reveal any patterns that might hinder our relationships and requesting the strength and wisdom to overcome them.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of the world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT

Allow yourself to think about some of those negative family patterns you identified earlier. How do these patterns make you feel? What were the effects of those patterns and behaviors?

Consider writing down your thoughts and feelings in your journal or on your phone. Take your time; there's no rush. You can pause this guide and spend as much time as you need with these questions.

God will be with you.

[PAUSE FOR REFLECTION]

Thinking back and recognizing negative family patterns can be a painful experience, but we do it for a reason. We all want to recognize what has negatively happened to us and ensure it doesn’t happen to our family going forward.

This also might be weighty, but I encourage you to take an objective and accurate assessment of your family today. Are any of those negative patterns and behaviors repeated in your family now?

If so, what do you think God wants you to do about them? Remember the way it made you feel, and the effects it had on your life. The great news is that through Jesus all things are made new. If you don’t want to continue carrying on negative experiences, behaviors, communication styles, or mindsets, with Jesus, there is hope.

Again, consider writing down your thoughts and feelings. Take your time. What do you see in your family and what does God want you to do about it?

[PAUSE FOR REFLECTION]

Let’s close in prayer today.

Lord, we know that this journey is ongoing, and that we may encounter obstacles along the way. But we remain hopeful because we know you’re with us every step of the way. We have the assurance of your guidance and support. Bless us with the courage to face the patterns that need healing and the determination to nurture the positive patterns that strengthen our families. As we move forward on this path, we place our trust in you, knowing that your good, pleasing, and perfect will is our ultimate destination. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Take all the time you need.

I’ll leave you with Jesus and talk to you tomorrow.