"My siblings drive me crazy!  Why are my parents so strict?  Why does everyone else seem to have a better, more 'normal' family than me?"

As a gal in her teens, it can be a bit difficult to manage everything that is going on in your own life, while at the same time trying to figure out how to deal with the family that God has placed within that life. In today's society a family can take on a lot of different looks, ideas, people, and meanings. Everyone's is a little different, but in the end we all deal with the same struggles, weaknesses, problems, and dilemmas, no matter how different we may look.

So the universal question becomes, "How do I deal with the fact that sometimes my family drives me nuts?"  Because let's face it, we've all asked that question at some time or another. I'm pretty sure God is used to hearing the "Help me, Lord, with this crazy family" prayer. So it's no surprise that He has also given us some guidelines in His word on how to deal with those issues and feelings.

Ephesians 6:1-3 says, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right, 'Honor your father and mother' - which is the first commandment with a promise - 'that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'"

This is no doubt a widely known passage that talks about the importance of respecting and showing love and honor to your parents. Now I realize that there are times when you will say, "Yes, but they just don't understand" or "It's just not fair" or a numerous amount of other things. But as hard as it may be to understand, most of the time, (now be prepared for what I'm about to say) your parents are right. They've been where you're at. They know what you're going through. And they have reasons for wanting to protect you from certain things. And as hard as it may be to see now, I guarantee that when you get older you'll start to see your parents in a whole new light. You'll understand the reasons for the choices that they made. But until then, it takes true discipline to treat your parents with the respect and the honor that they deserve. But it pays off in the end. I promise!

Now siblings can be another story.  Growing up with three of my own, I know all the struggles and joys of having brothers and sisters. Now mind you, I wouldn't trade having them for anything in the world, but I would definitely trade in some of the annoyances that they brought along with them. This is where the verses on loving others come into play.  One of my favorites is,

1 Peter 3:8 - "Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."

Harmony.  That is a great word to describe what we wish to achieve with our siblings, isn't it?  And the great part?  It's also what we are commanded to achieve with those around us,  which of course includes the people we are around the most (the fam). Siblings can be a chore. They can get into all of your "business" and make a mess of a lot.  They can get you into trouble with your parents, and overall just be a pain. But they can also bring about laughter. They can bring about inside jokes, and Christmas mornings where you go down to get your presents before your parents are awake.  They can bring about some of the most awesome, heart-filled relationships you'll ever know.  But it takes work, patience, humility, and a whole lot of love to try to achieve the harmony that 1 Peter talks about.

So really, what ends up being the bottom line on family relationships? Love. We were not placed by accident into the families that we have. God has strategically, and purposefully placed each one of you within the family you have for a reason. You are an integral part of that family and you have a huge part to play in making it a happy one.  God has commanded us to love those around us in the same way that He has loved us. (John 13:34-35)

That's a whole lotta love girls!  And by our own strength, we really can't achieve it.  But with the help of our heavenly Father, we can show that kind of love to those around us. (Even when they drive us nuts =)

I encourage each of you to take the time, right now, to thank God for the gift of the family He has blessed you with. And ask Him to give you the strength and the patience to show them the love that He has shown you.

Alysia Fuchs has been in the youth ministry realm for about eight years now. She has been especially involved in Girls Ministry for the last four years. Writing devotions and articles on godly living for teen girls is her passion. In her spare time, she loves to cook, clean, drink coffee, hike in the woods, and play with her dogs. She and her four dogs currently live in Ohio.