So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time, we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know Him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 NLT
As a blended family, you may have experienced a unique journey of coming together, navigating the challenges of merging lives, and creating a new sense of belonging. It’s not always an easy process; everyone brings their story, experiences, and expectations into the mix. However, amid this beautiful chaos, God has a purpose for your blended family and desires to shape your identity as a united whole.
Just as God transforms us when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, He transforms families. During blending, God invites you to find your identity in Him, enabling you to form a solid foundation for your family’s future. Here are a few suggestions to help you in your journey as a blended family.
1. Seek God’s Guidance. Invite His presence into your family’s journey through prayer and reading His Word. Trust that God has brought you together for a reason and will provide the wisdom and grace you need daily to see what that reason is.
2. Embrace Grace and Forgiveness. Blending families can bring unique challenges and even wounds from the past. Just as Christ forgave us, we are called to extend the same forgiveness and grace to one another. Let go of any bitterness or resentment and choose to love unconditionally, modeling the love of Christ to your children.
3. Nurture Open Communication. Healthy communication is critical in a blended family. Encourage open dialogue, creating a safe space for sharing everyone’s thoughts and emotions. Be attentive listeners and seek to understand one another’s perspectives. You can foster a sense of unity and build stronger bonds through honest and respectful communication.
4. Establish New Traditions. Embrace this opportunity to establish new traditions reflecting your unique blended family identity. Involve everyone in the process and create fun annual memories that celebrate your unity, love, and shared faith. Try to include serving others as part of your family tradition, like feeding people who are experiencing homelessness. These traditions strengthen your family’s bond and help shape your collective identity.
5. Emphasize Unity. While building unity may take time and effort, it is worth the investment. Encourage family activities that promote togetherness. Create opportunities for bonding and ensure that every family member feels valued, accepted, and loved. Remember, your blended family is a testament to God’s redemptive work. Through unity, you reflect His love to the world.
6. Lean on God’s Strength. The journey of a blended family may be filled with ups and downs, but remember, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Seek to align your life, decisions, and actions with God’s will as revealed in His Word. Let go of your need to control everything. Obey His commands and follow His principles for family life. Seek fellowship and support from other Christian families. Invite God into your struggles and allow Him to guide you through finding your identity as a blended family.
Your identity as a family is an ongoing journey that requires intentionality, grace, and God’s guidance. You can build a strong, beautiful, blended family rooted in love and faith.
Dig Deeper
1. How can you intentionally integrate your individual family backgrounds and traditions into your blended family’s identity in Christ while emphasizing unity and a shared sense of belonging?
2. In what ways can you actively demonstrate and teach your children about their identity in Christ, reassuring them of their unique value and purpose within the dynamics of your family?
Related Scripture
1. So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. – Ephesians 2:19 NLT
2. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. – Galatians 3:28 NLT
3. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. – Romans 12:4-5 NLT
4. God places the lonely in families; He sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But He makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. – Psalm 68:6 NLT
5. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. – 1 Corinthians 12:26 NLT
6. Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. – 1 John 4:7 NLT
7. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. – Colossians 3:14 NLT
8. How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in harmony! – Psalm 133:1 NLT
