Family! Nothing hurts more, I swear! It must be with anything great.....it doesn't come easy but its worth it when its done right.
There is no doubt in my mind the pre-earth life personalities play a role in our relationships and in our growth because of those relationships. But I think more and more it is the family that is taking the biggest hit from Satan. I think he is attacking every relationship in the family. I think he uses our weaknesses and differences against us. I think he stirs us up to stuff like contention and narcissism and infidelity and deception and selfishness. I think he helps us to become overly offended over things that maybe we wouldn't otherwise. I think he helps us project our weaknesses on others and makes it very convenient for us to blame others for our discomfort or for things not going "right".
I think more than ever the proclamation on the family is the most profound warning for the world today. I think we need to rely heavily on Christlike Charity and that long list in the scriptures that describe what it is and make sure that we are applying ourselves to excellence in those areas.
How easy it is to see anothers faults or flaws! How easy it is to get bent out of shape over a misstated word or an innocent comment! We can do better. We NEED to do better! We need to be better spouses and parents and in laws and siblings! Thank goodness we have the institution of the family because it, more than any other institution, will bring refinement and safety when we commit to a higher way of living and reacting and relating.
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