How to Live Happily With Your In-Laws - Biblical Perspective

In-laws are not angels! They are not demons! Theyspend a thousand Dollars today in anticipation of a
are not animals! They are human beings. Some ofreward or profit of the sum of ten thousand Dollars in
them are introverts while others are extroverts. Likefive years time, is to call for trouble. This is due to the
every other man who is, by nature a Sanguine, afact that he is not concerned about the future but the
Choleric or a Melancholic, any in-law may share eitherpresent! To him, that one thousand Dollars would do
of these psychological natures. Therefore, in-laws arefor John's birthday next month, or the elders' meeting
not infallible. They are bound to make mistakes herenext week!
and there. They are bound to fail in one responsibility or(iii) The Nature of an Ox or a Calf. -The man with this
another. They could at one time exhibit or manifest thenature is always dependent upon someone for
nature of a saint and at other times that of a devil!directions and initiatives. As an in-law, he depends on
Fundamental Facts about In-Lawshis son or daughter as the case may be for existence
To manage your in-law, the knowledge andand survival. This man will at all times call on his son or
understanding both of his biblical and psychologicaldaughter for helps or send messages to him for such
natures are vital. Otherwise, the in-law will not behelps. The helps may be in monetary terms. It could be
related with in his or her real estate. He or she is apsychological or emotional. However, the son or
person.daughter in-law to this man is not happy at such
The Biblical Nature of Your In-Lawfrequent calls. Unfortunately, he or she does not
(i) The Nature of Eagle -The man with this nature likesunderstand the problem with this man so he or she
to be a leader who likes to hear any particular newsblows up!
or matter in its raw state without the injection ofThis spouse would be at peace with himself/herself
thoughts, reasons or dogmas. He thinks and plans farand his/her partner if he understands that this man
ahead of time and others.suffers from this nature that had no access to clinical
There would be trouble where, in dealing with an in-lawpsychologists and theologians before becoming a
with above nature, his leadership potentials and rightsparent and now an in-law.
are questioned or challenged directly or otherwise. In(iv) The Human Nature -A normal and perfect human
this case, he assumes the position of a leader in anybeing has God's image in him. He is independent and
particular situation or circumstance and he wants hisnot in subjection to any control or dominion. He has the
opinions, suggestions and advice to be respected andfreewill to choose between good and evil. He always
accepted as verdicts!restrains himself and is self - controlled. He is religious
(ii) The Nature of Lion -The man with this natureand he has the tendency to be obedient to God.
always hopes and anticipates for the best of allThis man as an in-law would not be dependent on
options. He does not only hope to be a member of theeither his son or daughter-in-law; not even on his son or
governing council of any particular organization but todaughter for helps and assistance. His son, daughter,
occupy the highest position in the organization. Althoughson or daughter-in-law may offer to help this man who,
he has no foresight, he hopes for the best.because of his power of control over situations and
A spouse may avoid trouble with this in-law by limitingcircumstances may refuse such help. At meal table in
visitation to once or twice in a year but that one visitthis home, he may restrain himself from "eating to his
must be royal! He would not tell this in-law anyfill!" He may not even feel obliged to visit the home no
proposal that calls for creative reasoning knowing fullymatter the amount of pressure from the son or
well that he has no such ability to project the presentdaughter-in-law.
into the future! For example, telling him of a plan to