Week Eight

Stressors and Crisis

Every family is going to encounter times of Stress, and even Crisis events. The important part is the response. Sometimes the response itself can be more of a crisis than the actual event! There are a few concepts that we discussed that I think will really help families to cope in a healthy manner.

The first is understanding the role that cognitions play. In many cases I think that we have more agency than we admit. We have the ability to choose what to think about many things, although some take more effort than others. Sometimes we may need to ‘reframe’ the situation, or take in more, different, or adjusted perspectives from your own. This re-shifting may need to happen many times.

As Bro. Williams told us about some of his life experiences and counseling experiences, I realized that principles of repentance and forgiveness and communication are universal, eternal truths. You don’t need to use those labels, but when it comes down to it, those are the only things that can really fix a situation. In times of crisis and stress, it is not only people that are hurt and affected, but relationships. And those cannot be fixed or maintained without a great amount of forgiveness, repentance and communication. I am so grateful for the gospel knowledge that I have, and for the guidance that it gives us on every hand.

Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.