by Prophetess Leslie Brown
Family conflicts aren't new. Since the beginning of time, and from the creation of Adam and Eve, families have feuded with one another. However, the battle becomes a significant issue when one or more people within a family allow the enemy to plant seeds of strife and division.
In Genesis 16, an Egyptian biblical maid is mentioned by the name of Hagar. Hagar is Sarai's handmaid. In fact, when Sarai finds herself unable to conceive a child (Genesis 16:1-2, AMP), she takes actions into her own hands. She persuades her husband, Abram, to share an intimate moment with Hagar, as his second wife, (Genesis 16:3-4, AMP) in hopes of having a child and raising the infant as her own.
Having said that, Sarai's plan doesn't go as expected. When Hagar finds out that she's with child, her attitude changes. She immediately starts treating the lady of the house poorly. "He went in to [the bed of] Hagar, and she conceived; and when she realized that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress [regarding Sarai as insignificant because of her infertility]" (Genesis 16:4, AMP).
In Hagar's mind, she starts to act as if she is the First Lady.
Sarai becomes jealous because she's violated the will of God!
Jealousy is an opposing seed that comes from the accuser. For centuries, jealousy has seeped into the bloodline of families - creating division between sisters, brothers, parents, and offsprings.
The Scripture reveals this family conflict stems from two places: inheritance and offspring.
Inheritance is at the root of this family conflict; it is a divine birthright. It's a person's legacy. But on the other hand, succession can be viewed as a tool of strife, hatred, and division, as seen in this text.
Whereas family conflict amongst offsprings has caused harm in between siblings from the dawn of Cain and Abel to the cistern where Joseph was thrown into by his brothers. The struggle between offsprings is recorded throughout the Bible.
If not handled properly, family conflict can create stigma, unwarranted pressures, or bind you to lifelong ungodly soul ties and immoral commitments.
Questions:
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Instead of running away from issues in your family like Hagar or creating disdain for a family member like Sari, how can you properly handle conflict with calm and submission?
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Has culture or customs caused you to open ungodly doors binding you to a life of shame, guilt, or regret?
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What method(s) is God communicating to your heart, while in the wilderness, to fix a painful situation in your family like the angel instructed Hagar in the desert?
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