How Does God Ask Us To Reflect and Handle the Estrangement of A Loved One, or Family Member?

How Does God Ask Us To Reflect and Handle the Estrangement of A Loved One, or Family Member?

Eileen Renders

This situation is particularly disturbing due to the emotional attachment. Our emotions are often intense and can fluctuate from sorrow to anger, or resentment, and contempt. Sometimes, we dwell on the issue of who is right and who was wrong in this situation, often wanting to relieve our stress by accusing the person who has cut ties with us.

How do we know if we overstepped our boundary, and who is really right, and who was in the wrong? Often, it is not a matter of right or wrong, but simply a difference of opinion or belief. Are we waiting for an apology, or wondering if we should apologize? There is only one circumstance when no apology might be acceptable, and that is in situations when we stand up for God, our faith, and His teachings. Whatever the issue, we should never say things that we will regret or seek revenge.

Often, these separations are from our own adult children. These are exactly those times when we should step back, stay true to our God and our faith. In other words, we are never required to apologize for putting God first. However, with disrespectful adult children, we no longer have the responsibility of reprimanding or punishing. We need to ask ourselves, “What would God want us to do?”

God has told us to accept that which we cannot control, but continue to love them and show our love through prayer. Not to pray for what feels best in soothing our feelings, but to pray for them to come to see how God wants them to feel and how to live. We give all to God, we trust in Him. If our friends, family or children live and follow God, and we pray for them, we can then relax and accept what is to come.