I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:1–2 (NKJV)
Have you ever felt tense in the presence of your in-laws?
Maybe you bite your lip as your father-in-law shares a strong opinion with your spouse—a point of view you don’t share. Or maybe, as you prepare to visit your spouse’s family, you cringe over the differences between your families.
You know your in-laws have played a crucial role in the development of your spouse. You know they can provide wisdom as you travel through life with your husband or wife. And you know you want to love them more. But no matter how hard you try, you can’t help but feel uneasy when your paths cross. Is it possible to achieve harmony without the awkwardness? Can you truly love your in-laws as if they were your own family?
You might wonder what the Bible has to say about loving your in-laws. After all, you don’t recall a verse where Jesus explicitly stated that you need to love your in-laws as yourself, right? But throughout Scripture, we see strong reminders that as followers of Christ, our calling is to love everyone—even those additional family members we gain through marriage.
Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:1–2 can be a helpful reminder for times when you’re dreading the next family gathering or holiday party. Although he is sitting in prison, Paul’s concern is not how he has been mistreated or what he can do to get back at the people who are persecuting him. Instead, he reminds his fellow believers in Ephesus that Christ’s calling is one of love. We must always rise to the occasion and show this same sacrificial love to others—no matter our relationship to them. Some hallmarks of this radical love include humility, gentleness, and patience. These are all qualities that should define us as followers of Jesus.
The next time you’re facing a stressful moment with your in-laws, pause and call out to the Lord in prayer. Ask him for the strength to express Christ-like love, regardless of the circumstances. And when you study God’s Word in your daily life, meditate on verses or passages that give you hope for your challenges, frustrations, and uncertainties.