Please pray for me and my brother in law.

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Jun 24, 2017
368
20
0
#1
I am going to visit my family next weekend, and I will be seeing my younger sister and her husband as well. They are newly married with, and because of, a baby on the way. I have gotten word through my parents that he is not treating her as a husband aught in that he quit his job and is lazy around the house. She is pregnant and is working 7 days a week to support the both of them.

I need your prayers so that I can see him and address him as Jesus would. The flesh wants to chew him out and tell him to get his act together, but I know that this will not solve anything and will only create problems. I also need you to pray that God would open a door, that he would work on my BIL's heart, and that he would make himself real and apparent to my BIL. That God would call my BIL to him and that my BIL would find a place without pride. And I need you to pray that I would truly care for him and his salvation and not speak to him about God purely out of a desire to improve my sister's situation. Please pray for my father as well. What I will be facing is only a microcosm of what he is having to deal with.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,243
16,252
113
69
Tennessee
#2
I am going to visit my family next weekend, and I will be seeing my younger sister and her husband as well. They are newly married with, and because of, a baby on the way. I have gotten word through my parents that he is not treating her as a husband aught in that he quit his job and is lazy around the house. She is pregnant and is working 7 days a week to support the both of them.

I need your prayers so that I can see him and address him as Jesus would. The flesh wants to chew him out and tell him to get his act together, but I know that this will not solve anything and will only create problems. I also need you to pray that God would open a door, that he would work on my BIL's heart, and that he would make himself real and apparent to my BIL. That God would call my BIL to him and that my BIL would find a place without pride. And I need you to pray that I would truly care for him and his salvation and not speak to him about God purely out of a desire to improve my sister's situation. Please pray for my father as well. What I will be facing is only a microcosm of what he is having to deal with.
Looks like the brother-in-law is starting off on the wrong foot. The bible says quite a bit about a man who is a sloth and does not provide for his family. Keep in mind that you have heard only from your family about what's going on. To really ascertain what is happening you will have to talk to her husband as a man and also observe his actions. I have said a prayer for the Holy Spirit to guide your words and for the Holy Spirit to be receptive. Another factor is the age, how old is her husband and what is his background. One important thing, what ever you do you must not immediately side with your sister. If you do the conversation is over with the brother-in-law. You are right, address him as Jesus would and see him through the eyes of Jesus. That would be most wise.
 

RickyZ

Senior Member
Sep 20, 2012
9,635
787
113
#3
I need your prayers so that I can see him and address him as Jesus would.
Praying for you. And remember, when considering what Jesus would do, breaking out the whips and trashing the place is on the list.
 

Didymus

Senior Member
Jan 11, 2017
128
6
0
#5
If your BIL is a Christian, the Holy Spirit will convict him of his slothfulness. I'm not going to judge him, but I would venture to guess that he is not a practicing believing Christian. That makes this inevitable confrontation difficult because he doesn't think or act like we do because at the end of the day we will be answering to Jesus.

That being said, I would suggest asking the subtle questions without being too nosy or judgmental. For example, "What kind of health insurance do you have- is it going to cover all of the prenatal costs?" Or, "How is the job hunt going? I heard they were hiring at Amazon." Things like that. I can't imagine any man being proud of being a bum. Good luck to you, and keep us posted.
D
 
Jun 24, 2017
368
20
0
#6
Well, he's early twenties with no degree or career/field. I doubt he has health ins. I think I want to avoid the subject altogether with him. I don't know weather he claims Christ or not, but his lifestyle certainly does not reflect that. I'm hoping that God will put himself in the middle of this situation. Nothing I can say will make a difference. Christ being his Lord would though.
 

RickyZ

Senior Member
Sep 20, 2012
9,635
787
113
#7
Wow I made your signature quotes? I'm honored :)
 

Didymus

Senior Member
Jan 11, 2017
128
6
0
#9
Well, your BIL has a bigger problem then. He needs Jesus. I will be praying for you that you (or another Christian) have the opportunity to share the Gospel with him. Please keep me posted, thank you.
 
I

ibes007

Guest
#10
It seems like your brother is weighed down by the anxieties this world. He needs to look beyond this world and the fact that a new life is forming before him - something that only God, him, and his wife can provide.

Here are some Bible verses that come to mind for your brother.

1 Peter 5:6

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

and for you and your anxiety/anger over the situation...

Proverbs 12:25

25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
 
Jun 24, 2017
368
20
0
#11
I really appreciate all of your prayers for this situation. I'm not angry, though that was my initial reaction. I've been praying as well about how to deal with it and what angle I should take. Reading through this thread helped me realized that "DUH" I should love him. Which I knew, but there are a lot of different ways love can be expressed. Due to the nature of the marriage he has not had a lot of time to integrate with my family and he's very quiet around us, plus I live 5 hrs away, so I have not had a chance to really get to know him. I'm going to try and put myself in his shoes, and be a good representative of Christ to him. I certainly hope he realizes his situation, and if that is the case he knows he's got a lot on his plate. He needs love and support right now. One of the things I've learned in sales is that if you don't first address a customer's needs/issues you won't get very far with them if anywhere at all. This is a universal rule and it doesn't just apply to sales. Hopefully I'll be able to apply that here.
 

levi85

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2013
8,578
2,180
113
#12
Father God we come together with this prayer , let you bless conversationand, his brother-in-law and sister. Yes Lord in Jesus Holy name, Amen!