Our family ties consist of parent, son, daughter, wife, spouse, brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, grandchild, aunt, uncle, parent’s siblings, cousins – all biologically connected and as we sometimes say, ‘Cut from the same cloth.’. Meaning – We are very alike in some or most ways, mannerisms are almost alike, and some voices sound the same.
From early childhood we are exposed to life through the eyes of those closest to us. But as we all know there are functional and dysfunctional ties that makes it tricky to navigate your way through it. Growing up in a toxic environment creates anxiety, depression and a host of other dysfunctions. There’s sibling rivalry, lack of empathy within the four walls, poor communication, physical and verbal abuse to name a few of family dysfunctions.
It will be folly to assume that all family members are cut from the same cloth. Are you that one member in your family that could look back at all the disadvantages that you faced yet you still managed to navigate your way out on the other side? The home should be our firm foundation to a healthy life and the launching pad to our greatest achievements, but life isn’t always fair.
So, is there any hope for a bright future despite your family history? David was the youngest of Jesse’s sons and he had a difficult time getting along with his brothers who did not look up to him or treated him with respect. Afterall, he was just a shepherd boy attending to their father’s sheep out in the backyard. But little did anyone think that God’s eyes were on David from a youth and would arrange a showdown between David and a giant before a large army with his brothers having a ringside view.
With only a stone, a sling and a prayer David took aim at his opponent’s forehead and bought the giant down to his knees.
What made the difference between David and his older brothers? The alone times David spent looking after their father’s sheep out in the backyard. He developed a relationship with God second to none. He outperformed his brothers who were fighters in a very prominent army.
In 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, we find a short prayer spoken by another least of the least. Cut from the same cloth but had a different destiny. The Bible says, “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him ‘Jabez’ saying, ‘Because I bore him with pain. ‘ Now, Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, Lord, bless me indeed and expand my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.”
“So. God granted him what he requested.”
Jabez’s mother had a difficult time giving birth to him because it says, ‘I bore him in pain.” Let’s think about this for a moment. Some of us have names tied to us out of circumstances far beyond our control but Jabez changed the course of his life by a simple prayer – ‘Lord, bless me and expand my destiny. Keep Your hand on me. Keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.’
And BOOM – he became more honorable than his brothers.
What’s your excuse? Your pain can bring you before kings and not mean men if you will dare to trust God with your pain. Hurting people DO NOT have to hurt others. The buck stops at you. Your family tree doesn’t restrict you. You’ve got what it takes to step out of the pack.
Amazing Grace 