Today Karen and Emily are diving into what it means to love like Jesus, even when it’s difficult. They cover preparing your heart, navigating tricky relationships, and approaching family gatherings with humility. You’ll learn how to manage expectations and hear practical ways we can love others like Christ loves us. Whether you’re juggling in-laws, extended family, or just trying to survive the season, this episode is packed with encouragement and wisdom for the holidays.

Episode Recap:

5:41 - Why is it so challenging to love our extended family like Jesus?

10:26 - How can we shift our mindset and love family when it feels impossible?

12:33 - You can’t ignore your feelings, but you don’t have to act on your feelings.

13:30 - What are some practical ways we can prepare our hearts before family gatherings?

16:00 - Pray and ask God to show you what He loves about hard to love people

23:44 - The holidays can bring joy, but they can bring a lot of trigger points as well

Scripture for Reflection:

John 13:34-35 (NIV): "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Questions for Discussion:

How can you demonstrate love to family members who may be difficult to connect with during the holidays?

What practical steps can you take to prepare your heart to approach family gatherings with humility and grace?

How does Jesus’ example of unconditional love challenge the way you interact with extended family or in-laws?

What boundaries could you set to help maintain peace and joy during the holiday season, while still showing Christ-like love?

Resources:

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