Dealing With Parents And In-laws

Dealing with Parents and In-Laws

Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Exodus 20:12

A WIFE RECENTLY SAID TO ME, “When we first got married, my mother-in-law really irritated me. I complained to my husband, who to his credit supported me. As my mother-in-law grew older, I began to think about what it means to ‘honor’ your parents and in-laws. That’s a command, not an option, so I do it . . . even though sometimes she still gets under my skin.” This woman is right that God commands us to honor parents; in fact, that verse comes directly from the Ten Commandments. But it’s not always easy.

For better or for worse, our parents and parents-in-law are a part of our lives. But whether we’re newlyweds or an “old married couple,” how should we relate to in-laws? Actually, we need them. That is, we need the warmth and the wisdom of parents and in-laws. But we don’t need to be controlled by them. Mutual freedom and mutual respect should be the guiding principle for parents and their married children.

What guidelines does the Bible give for in-law relationships? Two principles must be kept in balance: leaving parents and honoring parents. We’ll talk more about these in the next few days.

Father, help me to remember that my parents and in-laws are a gift, and that they can offer wisdom and experience. Show me the right way to treat them. Thank you for being the perfect parent.

Parents