By Nancy Virden (c)2024

To lessen your stress and chagrin, here’s a plan for thriving at a difficult family reunion. As a disciple of Jesus, be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12 ) for your family.

1.PLAY A GAME: If you know a certain drama or person will threaten to ruin Thanksgiving Day, prepare a mental game beforehand. You know Uncle Rusty is likely to become belligerent? Give yourself a point if you guess correctly when he will start, how long a tirade will last, and who will respond to him first. If he generally yells, guess who he will yell at and about what. If it is another type of drama, write down who will start and when. Perhaps prepare a gentle answer. Less focused on negativity, guess what people will wear, what cars they drive, and who they bring. Reward yourself later for your correct answers.

Hints for the Game:

Do not delight in evil but rejoice with the truth (1 Corinthians 13: 6). If you cannot play this game without bitterness, do not play it. This is about lessening your stress, not piling up resentment.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil (Romans 12:17). Do not egg on negativity or join an argument.

 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse (Romans 12:14) If someone picks on you because of your faith, do not be conceited (Romans 12:16c). Be different.

2. FIND YOUR ALLY: Find someone with whom you can laugh, reminisce, or eat pie without judgment. Stick to that person. Tell them you are sticking by them- they will not mind. If the group changes rooms, they will know to save you a seat. This may be a person with whom to play the game mentioned above. Keep points and reward the winner.

Hints for having an ally:

Abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV). It may be unwise to select the opposite-sex spouse of a family member.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18). Perhaps you and your ally can slip away from the others.

3. K.I.S. (KEEP IT SHORT): Do not obligate yourself to stay longer than you can stand and still remain patient. Go the rounds and say hello and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, eat if you can, and after a little small talk go your way. If there is someone with whom you would like more time, plan to see them on a different day.

Hints for K.I.S.: 

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good (Romans 12:9). Keep things on the positive as much as possible for everyone’s sake.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13). It’s A-OK to leave! Have your own ride; do not bring food in a dish you want to keep; know where they put your coat; if leaving early do not take leftovers.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Try to leave something positive behind such as a kind word or extra muffins.

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

 1 Peter 4:14-19

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?  And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”^{[Proverbs 11:1]} So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. For a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. 

NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speaks only from personal experience and observations. This website is not intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

_{HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION, COPYRIGHT © 1996, 2004, 2015 BY TYNDALE HOUSE FOUNDATION. USED BY PERMISSION OF TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS, INC., CAROL STREAM, ILLINOIS 60188, PER BIBLE GATEWAY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://WWW.BIBLEGATEWAY.COM/}