028: I Wish My In-Laws Would
If you’re blessed with great relationships with your in-laws, you may be in the minority because many marriage and family experts now claim that three-fourths of all couples have significant problems with their in-laws. Even some Christians believe one of the reasons Adam and Eve got along so well was that they didn’t have any in-laws.
In this episode, Les and Page talk about some of the biggest kinds of conflict people face in their relationships with their in-laws and then how to approach each conflict biblically.
Show Notes:
When Les posted “I Wish My In-Laws Would ______” on a whiteboard in the church atrium, the responses were eye-opening:
Here are some of their responses:
- Spend more time with their only grandchild.
- Be an important influence on our kids.
- Drive safely.
- Come visit us.
- Realize their son is not perfect.
- Were still here.
- Would move back to where they came from.
- Move closer!
- Stop asking for grandkids…or dropping hints.
- Accept that their son loves me.
- Be proud of my husband.
- Get a job.
- Move…one set closer (mom) and one set away (dad).
- Spend more time with my children instead of just handing out money.
- Respect that I’m his choice.
- Not pay attention to who gets more time with grandkids.
- Respect boundaries.
Common Reasons for Conflict:
- Differences in Expectatons
- Differences in Cultures
- Differences in Generations
- Differences in Involvement
Ways to Work Through the Conflict
- Be considerate.
- Give advice sparingly (and resist being defensive).
- When possible, reconcile with your in-laws.
- Remember what — and who — you have in common!
- Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes.
- Engage in self-evaluation.
Reminder: We will never have peace in our family or peace in our relationships if we don’t have peace with our heavenly Father first through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Checklist: Praying for Your In-Laws
- Pray for forgiveness.
- Pray for reconciliation
- Pray for the salvation of your in-laws or spouse
- Pray to give your life to Christ.
Links Mentioned In this Episode:
Test your knowledge of Heaven with this quiz.
Visit PageHughes.com for daily devotionals.
Subscribe here to Les’s Daily Email Devotionals.
