Today I am starting a new series Wellness Wednesday. My hope is to share about various issues regarding wellness whether physical health or mental health. The posts will be more along the lines of encouragement rather than advice. My first topic is Chosen Family.
Family issues are something I have experienced myself having grown up in a family with an alcoholic father and a mother who had mental health issues she never sought help for. What do we do when our biological family has severe problems or even just some problems? What do we do if the situation is toxic? I would always encourage someone to seek counseling of course.
How do we balance what the bible says about honor your father and your mother with a situation like what I grew up in?
Jesus shed light on this when his own earthly family tried to interfere with his ministry in Mark chapter 3.
Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
Imagine the scenario. Jesus our creator who came to earth to be our Savior experienced his mother and his half brothers coming to “take charge of him” thinking he was crazy.
When someone told him his mother and half brothers were outside, Jesus’ response was:
Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.
Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Jesus shared that those who do God’s will are his family. This sheds light on something for me that has been helpful. Look to those who are part of God’s family when biological family is a problem.
What do I mean by that? How does this look in my life?
When my biological parents were alive, I did try to share with them, prayed for them, and remembered things like their birthdays. But I did not look to them for guidance, encouragement, or reinforcement.
Important Note- if you have been a victim of any kind of abuse please seek counseling and guidance. If being around those who abused you is harmful, please seek counseling.
When I was younger, I sought out people older than me in church who I respected for those important aspects of life. Now I am older, but I still think of my close friends at church as my chosen family.
Chosen family are those people who we know truly have our best interest in mind, who we can healthy relationships with, and who can encourage us in our lives and faith. Friends can come and go in our lives, but there are some who I have stayed friends with for almost 30 years.
Thank you for reading. God Bless.
Jesusluvsall's Blog 
Amen. Wonderful post. We both are starting something new on our blog today. 🙂
It is good that you decided to share about wellness and want to encourage others regarding that issue. It is indeed a challenge when a member of your family is not well. You need all the support that you can get. Thank you. This post was helpful to me.
Thank you little sister. How are you?
Good morning. I am trying to hold on. Blessings.
Prayed for you
Thank you.
“Chosen family”. I’ve never thought about that before. I feel like this would be hard for children especially. I didn’t understand what was healthy and unhealthy in a home until I got older. I love my family, but trust is earned, and there are those who I don’t trust to have my best interests at heart. I love the idea of holding on to the people you know you are safe with.
I think chosen family is a concept for teens and adults to grasp
True!. There are friends that sticks close by. And I am grateful for these. 🙌
Thankful for the chosen family. 😊
I am glad you are my little sister 🙂
Aww. Me too.
And that you are my big bro too. 😊
I love every bit of this.
Let me back up…I’m sorry that your childhood was less than idyllic. That being said…your past shaped you into the amazing godly man that you are today.
I think this series is going to be like a salve on the open wounds of hurting people.
Thank you
Romans 8:28 🙂
Wonderful, wonderful post, my friend. It is indeed a privilege when one’s earthly family are also part of the Lord’s family, but if they are not then precedence is given to the Lord’s family
Thank you. I am glad you are blessed that your earthly family is also part of the Lord’s family
I thank the Lord for this gift
I think this would be a wonderful series brother Matt….I really enjoyed this post….chosen family…..hmm….I hope everyone finds one🙏🏼😍🙏🏼
Thank you little sister 🙂
You deserve love in your life 🙂
🥰🙏🏼🥰🙏🏼🥰🙏🏼🥰
I hear you and the experience resonates. As an adult I now have a chosen family too. I do sadden and pray for those who are not fortunate to have experienced a supportive church family and especially for those who have not yet met their Father God.
We can share about our Heavenly Father with others 🙂
Chosen family is my reality. Thank you for covering this!
I am glad you have a chosen family