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How do I prevent backsliding or failing as a Christian when it pertains to dysfunctional relationships? I know the Bible says to honor thy parents, but I don't see how I can honor my father. I don't know why, but whenever I'm around his presence (which would be ever day at some point), I get irritated or uneasy. My father is successful, but very childish and close-minded. I appreciate that he makes a decent living for the rest of us, but I find him slightly narcissistic, and he has some form of obsessive compulsive disorder, which he is in vehement denial about. I'm sure you can tell by my constant questions that I have it, as well, thanks to our lousy genes (or generational problems, perhaps). He is a short fuse, and I feel if I say the wrong thing or something he perceives to be an insult at him and his child-like view of the world, he becomes hostile. I know there is something wrong with him, and we don't see eye to eye about really anything in the world. I believe he thinks he is an innocent and good person who does nothing wrong, but I wish he would take a look at himself and who he really is- very much a seeker of attention at times, lies constantly to get out of small situations, in denial about his many problems. As for our conflicting personalities, I try to be passionate about everything I do and to learn as much as I can wherever I can, and he believes everything he reads, everything an "expert" tells him, and tries to follow in the footsteps of his father in a way that is so disturbing he even wants to buy his house in Florida and essentially re-live his life. If I ever try to inform him on something that is scary or uncomfortable, he shuts off and mocks like a child. I just have found him to be more of the annoying brother than a father...as if I'm more mature. Some days, I get so annoyed with him that I either try to provoke him so I can show him why he is wrong (he will never consider he is wrong) and I turn into a person I don't like. I don't even like praying out loud because I don't want him to hear me. How do I prevent this from essentially costing me salvation? I know I'm not being godly around him. I try to treat him like a child, but it makes me angry that the person I should be looking up to is so limited and immature. I also am very aware that the situation could be worse..that I could have a drug addict for a father, but that isn't relevant and besides the point of how I can be more Christ-like around him while also coming to terms with the fact that I just will never truly like him.
Thank you all and I apologize for the length
Thank you all and I apologize for the length