From Stress to Peace: A Fresh Approach to Family Gatherings
As Easter approaches, you might find yourself counting down the days with anxiety rather than anticipation. The thought of spending time with difficult family members or friends can be overwhelming. According to Joe Navarro, a seasoned FBI veteran, many of us have to deal with “socially toxic individuals” who don’t care about the impact they have on others.
So, how can Christians navigate these challenging situations? When we’re tempted to lash out or put someone in their place, we must remember that Jesus came to redeem people like them – and like us. We’re all wounded, wandering, and in desperate need of grace.
The Power of Peacemaking
Instead of firing back, I suggest taking a different path: peacemaking. It’s not always easy or immediately satisfying, but it can lead to softened hearts, open doors, and a deeper understanding of the gospel.
The first step in peacemaking is to recognize others as made in the image of God. In today’s polarized culture, this can be surprisingly difficult. We’re often encouraged to reduce people to categories, labels, or social identities. But this reduction comes at a cost – it warps the way we see those closest to us, especially the high-maintenance relatives who know how to push our buttons.
Seeing Others Through God’s Eyes
As John Stackhouse puts it, learning to see others through the eyes of God reshapes everything. We should strive to respect the intelligence, spiritual interest, and moral integrity of our neighbors. We should act as if we truly see the image of God in them.
Listening with Compassion
In addition to seeing who they are, we must learn to recognize how their hearts ache. This means listening – not just for facts, but for patterns, underlying wounds, and quiet regrets. We listen to discern the particular malady to which the good news of Jesus can speak healing.
Listening well requires intention, patience, and focus. It’s a skill that Jesus, the great physician, demonstrated perfectly. When he looked upon the crowds, he didn’t rush past their pain. He saw them, listened with his heart, and out of that attentiveness came compassion.
A Lesson from Medical History
A story from medical history illustrates the importance of listening. French physician René Laennec invented the stethoscope, which allowed him to hear the heartbeat of a patient who was too large for traditional methods. This innovation revolutionized medicine, reminding us that healing begins with careful listening.
The Art of Presence
As we prepare to celebrate Easter, let’s resolve to view our relatives not as ideological opponents or irritating people, but as beloved image-bearers of God. Let’s be peacemakers – ready to notice and attentively listen, embodying the one who came not to win arguments but to save sinners.
By doing so, we can turn stressful family gatherings into opportunities for healing, growth, and redemption.
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