Mentoring Minute - Finding Peace at the Table: A Christian's Guide to Holiday Harmony

[00:00:00] Hi, this is Russ Walden with Father's Heart Ministry. And welcome to the Mentoring Minute. This is a podcast dedicated to providing you with quick, actionable advice to help you navigate life's challenges with faith and wisdom. And the mandate behind the Mentoring Minute for me is to see you walk in your version of the breakthrough that I've experienced in my life. A lot of ministers, they tell stories about somebody walked up to them in a conference and said, lay hands on me, sir, and give me all you got. And many times I've heard that minister say, well, I would do that, but it would kill you. Well, I'm exactly the opposite. I want to release an impartation to you that you might experience your version of the absolute breakthrough I've walked in in my life. Now, what facilitates that breakthrough? [00:01:02] Experiencing those shifts where suddenly you walk into a problem and then everything you say and do at that moment becomes as effective as if God said it or did it. That's what true breakthrough is all about. 2nd Chronicles 20:20 says, Believe the prophets, so shall you prosper. And that word prosper. If you look it up in the original language, it means come to breakthrough. It's very interesting because it doesn't say believe the prophecies. If you're the kind of person with regard to the prophetic, you're looking for a prophecy you can believe in. Well, that's no different than a fortune teller. We're talking about coming into a relationship with someone who can speak into your life and bring you into your blessing place beyond all accounting of natural causality and see you know what it is for everything you say and do to become as effective as if God said it or did it. Now we're at the holidays. The holidays are meant to be a time of joy and togetherness. But for some, maybe for you, family gatherings can be a source of stress and tension. [00:02:21] As Christians, we're called to be peacemakers, even in the midst of difficult family dynamics. So how can we cultivate peace at the table in this holiday season? How can you get through the holiday season with your testimony intact and not looking back and feeling like, well, I wish that would have done differently. I'd sure like to see my lost loved ones come to Christ. But there's nothing that happened in the holiday season that fed into that because you got waylaid, you got ambushed, and strife broke out. Well, we want to see that not happen. [00:03:01] So first and most importantly, start with prayer. When you're traveling, whether it's across town or across the country, before you even step into your family gathering. Take time to pray. Pray for yourself, pray for your family members, and pray for the overall atmosphere. Ask God to fill you with his peace and to guide every interaction you have, even with those where the relationship and the fellowship is very difficult. Philippians 4, 6 and 7 said, do not be anxious for anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God then, and the peace of God that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. So let's pray. Start out praying. Secondly, focus on listening, not reacting. It's easy to get caught up in old arguments or to feel defensive. [00:04:10] Make a conscious choice, a conscious effort to listen to what others are saying, even if you disagree. [00:04:19] James 1:19 says, Brothers and sisters, listen carefully. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Let that be the experience that even your most difficult family member has with you, that you're listening carefully, you're slow to speak and slow to anger. Around the Christmas Table the Christmas season this year Another key point is choose your battles wisely. Not every disagreement needs to be addressed. Ask yourself, is this conversation worth disrupting the peace? Proverbs 17:14 says, Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. [00:05:14] You don't have to engage in every argument and every conversation when you know the outcome is not going to be the peaceable friend of the Extend grace and forgiveness. That's also very crucial. We all make mistakes. [00:05:34] Remember the grace God has extended to you, and offer that same grace even to your most difficult family member. [00:05:41] Colossians 3:13 says, bear each other and forgive one another. If any of you has a grievance against someone, forgive as the Lord forgave you. [00:05:56] Remember to speak with kindness and respect, even when you disagree, even when you're not getting kindness and respect in return. [00:06:05] Avoid accusatory language or bringing up past hurts. Ephesians 4:29 says, don't let unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only that which is helpful, building up others according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. So when you when those words are on your lips, just ask yourself, is this helpful or is it not helpful? Does it feed my ego or does it buttress the peace of God and maintain your testimony? [00:06:36] Finally, remember the true meaning of the season. We're here in those family gatherings to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. [00:06:48] Focus on his love. Focus on forgiveness. This can empower you to be a peacemaker. Blessed Jesus said in Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. [00:07:04] So this holiday season, let's strive to be instruments of God's peace, focusing on prayer, listening, choosing our battles, extending forgiveness, speaking with kindness, and remembering the true meaning of the season. [00:07:20] Then you can create a more harmonious and Christ centered celebration. Thank you for joining us for the Mentoring minute. I pray that these insights bless you and your family this holiday season. Until next time, Merry Christmas and God's peace be with.