How To Deal With Unbelieving Parents
- Mikaela
- Dec 15, 2012
- 2 min read
Image: Wadeoradio.com |by Jodie Walton
Growing up I always heard the same thing. ‘Don’t be so heavenly minded with no earthly good.’ Now I didn’t hear this phrase in school or church, but in my own home. Was there some type of fear that I would become a ‘holier than thou’ Christian?
I could never understand what was meant when I heard it. With all honesty, I still don’t understand what it means. But I’m reminded of Colossians 3:1-4 because of it. We are to be setting our minds on things above, which is Christ, and not on earthly things, which is anything opposite of Christ. Now when we do set our minds on Him, earthly good does come from it. Earthly good like helping those in need, the homeless, orphans, by showing the love of Christ. So I guess that this phrase is used in error when applied to believers.
I grew up in the church, and when I got older and more serious about my faith, my mother and I started to have some issues with the decisions I was making. Even though I grew up in a Christian home, we seem to have conflict when it came to doctrine. She couldn’t understand why I would spend my summers teaching the Gospel and serving, instead of getting an internship or a more beneficial job. We just didn’t see eye to eye with certain things. Which can be understandable.
Now, I’m not an expert on how to deal with unbelieving parents, but I do have an understanding of where many come from. There are several things that must be kept in mind when dealing with unbelieving parents.
Make it a habit to communicate to them:
With Grace
Grace is understood as getting what you don’t deserve. Unbelieving parents may not understand your new found faith in Christ. They may persecute you or even make fun of you. But the best thing to do is show grace. God shows us grace and forgiveness, and we as Christians are called to show it to others as well. Ephesians 4:1-3:
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
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