Day 3 — Brothers and Sisters

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!”

— Psalm 133:1 (BSB)

If you have brothers or sisters, you know they can be your best friends and your biggest annoyances, sometimes on the same day! They borrow your stuff. They get more attention. They copy you. They know exactly how to push your buttons.

The Bible is full of brothers and sisters who didn’t get along. Cain and Abel. Jacob and Esau. Joseph and his jealous brothers. Martha and Mary. Sibling fights have been happening for a very long time!

But look at what David wrote: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” Harmony is a music word. It’s when different notes are played together and they sound beautiful instead of clashing. Brothers and sisters are different from each other. But when they get along, it’s beautiful.

Think about Jacob and Esau. They were twins, but they fought from the very beginning. Jacob tricked Esau and stole his blessing, and Esau was so angry that Jacob ran away from home for twenty years. When Jacob finally came back, he was terrified. He thought Esau would attack him.

But when Esau saw Jacob coming, he ran to meet him. He hugged him and kissed him, and they both cried (Genesis 33:4). After twenty years, they were brothers again.

Here are some ways to live in harmony with your siblings:

• Don’t keep score. “He got more!” “It’s my turn!” Try letting them go first sometimes.
• Say sorry quickly. Don’t let a fight sit there all day.
• Stand up for each other. Be on their side when someone else is mean to them.
• Celebrate them. When your sibling does something great, cheer for them instead of being jealous.
• Remember they’re young too. Especially younger siblings. They’re still learning, just like you.

If you don’t have brothers or sisters, these ideas still work with cousins, friends and kids at church. God’s family is full of brothers and sisters!

Think about it: What causes the most fights between you and your siblings (or cousins or friends)? How could you help make more “harmony”?

Try this: Do something kind for a brother, sister or cousin today. Share something, help them with something, or tell them something you like about them.

Dear God, thank You for my family, even when we don’t always get along. Help me live in harmony with my brothers and sisters. Help me not to keep score, to say sorry quickly and to celebrate them instead of being jealous. In Jesus’ name, Amen.