Sibling Rivalry I

Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart. Mark 3:25

 Sibling rivalry is a major cause of lack of harmony in homes. The most dangerous are fights ever recorded are the fights between brothers and sister. You are most vulnerable to the people closest to you. Siblings being at logger heads can be so devastating. Some live and die and never reconcile. If you check in the bible, the toughest battles are fought between siblings. You will see clearly the bitter taste that rivalry has left behind. The first murder was between brothers. The rivalry between Isaac and Ishmael was so bad; we are still feeling the heat today. Jacob and Esau’s feud started in the womb; Joseph and his brothers; Rachael and Leah’s competitiveness was from their father’s house, to their husband’s house and even to child bearing. Moses on one hand, Aaron and Miriam on the other hand. David and his brothers; Solomon and Adonijah competed for the throne in a bitter duel. The prodigal son and his brother. Some parents even use it to their own advantage. Do not underestimate where that can lead to, you are breeding what you may not live to tell the story of. It is better to manage it properly. And because of this we have raised people that are unmarriageable. When you have people who growing up are unable to live with their siblings, when they get married they are unable to live with their spouse also because they are used to fighting the people they live with. You must repent, change and build the bridge. Some of us parents know from the way our children are going that they will never be friends and yet we ignore it. One of the greatest pains of a parent is to grow old and approach the grave and knowing that your children will never see eye to eye when you are gone. God wants us to make these changes to our lives and in our families. As believers, God has called us into the ministry of reconciliation. God wants you and I to lead the way in reconciliation.

  Prayer: Father, help me celebrate my siblings for the gifts and success in their lives and not envy them. Help me see it as a plus for the family.