BYM ONLINE DESK November 2019 Blessing Emagazine | Page 2

Watchfulness in Family Life
E.L. Mathansingh, Missionary
These are the days of 'technological boom'.
We see growth in every field of science and
technology. However, 'family life' continues to be a
great challenge even to those countries which are
well advanced in education and economy. Once,
Mr. Regan, the ex-President of the United States
was interviewed by a reporter during the fag-end of
his successful tenure. The question posed was, “Is
there any problem in the country which you were
unable to resolve?” To this he answered, “I have
endured and put in my best to meet the needs of my
citizens. But, that one thing which I was unable to
sort out is, 'broken families'.
Though we are enjoying the growth in social
media in this 21st century, we need to accept the fact
that we are faltering in family life and interpersonal
relationships. Apostle Paul, highlights this truth in
the verse, “for if someone does not know how to
manage his own household, how will he care for
God's church?” (I Tim 3:5).
Family is not man-made. Rather it is divinely
ordained by God. That which is supposed to be a
garden, blooming and growing, has become an arid
desert! Many a family has been shattered because
people failed to be watchful. To be watchful means
that we keep constant vigil, to keep watch without a
wink, to oppose the marauders, to be prepared to
face any hardships, to lead the family carefully on
the principles laid down by God. When we fail to be
watchful in areas where we need to be vigilant,
dangers and disasters are inevitable. The chief
commander who was watchful and fought many
battles, Joshua, said, “As for me and my house, we
will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). He was not
only victorious in his social life but also in his
November 2019 | www.bymonline.org | Page 2
family life. What a feat!
Job is another example who was watchful
against the wiles of the devil. He prayed daily, each
morning, for the protection of each and every
member of his family. He prayed for their
sanctification and offered sacrifices to the Lord (Job
1:5). This article focuses on the areas where we need
to be watchful in order to protect our family.
1. Build A Pleasant Atmosphere
Understanding one's own family atmosphere
is of utmost importance. Some families always have
winter in their homes. They hardly talk with each
other. They are not bothered about the other person's
whereabouts. They are not interested in spending
time as a family - having meals together, sharing
concerns, having fun,.... It always snows there.
Still some families are caught up in a storm.
Arguments, quarrels, insults, beatings, fights are the
norm of the day. I remember a youth hailing from a
Christian family beseeching me, “Uncle, please
pray that I should go away from this house” for his
house was like a hell to him.
Some family members pester like mosquitoes.
They keep repeating the wrongs committed years
back. They keep on nagging and cannot live
peacefully with their family members.
May we learn to avoid all such things in our
houses and be watchful to ensure that a pleasant
atmosphere is always available at our homes. It is
difficult to control the climate outside; but it is
definitely possible to control it inside our houses.