Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Dysfunctional Family: Making Peace With Your Past
    Dysfunctional Family: Making Peace With Your Past
    Dysfunctional Family: Making Peace With Your Past
    Ebook98 pages50 minutes

    Dysfunctional Family: Making Peace With Your Past

    By June Hunt

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    In many ways, dysfunctional families are becoming the "new norm" in our society, affecting families in and outside the church. In this ebook, June Hunt explains the signs, characteristics, and impact dysfunctional families have on children's attitudes and behavior—revealing the ugly truth that dysfunction often produces more dysfunction. She presents practical ways to break the generational cycle of dysfunction—giving those who come from this background hope and equipping those who minister to them (pastor, church leader, or friend) with practical insight on how to help. Coming from a dysfunctional family can often make a person feel helpless—doomed to repeat the same mistakes and behaviors as their parents. June emphasizes that change is possible. Using the familiar Bible story of Joseph and his brothers, June reveals how God can use one family member yielded to Him to change the dynamics of an entire family. She also tells the remarkable true story of Catherine Brown Deeken, a woman who grew up in a shattered home with 2 alcoholics, but who now (through the grace of God) runs Rainbow Days, a ministry which supports over 65,000 children who are living in high-risk situations. Compassionate in its approach, rich with scripture, and easy-to-understand, this ebook explains how to reverse the impact of unhealthy family relationships• Includes a quick overview and key definitions. Answers—What is a dysfunctional family? What is a "functional" family? What are the dysfunctional family roles? How does being raised in a dysfunctional family affect future relationships?• Reveals signs, symptoms, and common characteristics of a dysfunctional family.Explains the 8 dominant traits characterized by dysfunctional families, including chaos, control, denial, inconsistency, emotional indifference, instability, shame, and unpredictability. • Explains how unresolved conflicts in the past often cause children to repeat the dysfunctional behavior of their parents. Includes a checklist to see if you—or someone you know—is showing signs of unresolved conflict.• Provides dozens of step-by-steps suggestions and practical ways to replace "old mindsets and behaviors" from unhealthy family relationships with God's truth. What Is a Dysfunctional Family?• A dysfunctional family is one where improper and immature behavior of at least one parent damages the growth of individuality and healthy relational skills among family members.• A dysfunctional family is one where family members are negatively affected emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.• A dysfunctional family is one where everyone is negatively affected even when only one family member experiences a problem.Dysfunctional Families Produce Dysfunctional Families Dysfunction looks different in each family. Here are some of the ways dysfunction can creep into the family unit:• Overly possessive or faultfinding parents• Poor organization or overly rigid structure• Inconsistent and indecisive parents• Emotionally abandoned children (including emotional abuse)• Overly rigid structure or lacking parental authorityHow Do Kids Cope? 4 Dysfunctional Family Roles Children Adopt When parents are unable to manage their lives, children learn to cope by playing specific roles in the family or "acting out" in damaging ways. Typically, the child will adopt one of four roles:• The Responsible ChildThe "hero" tries to fix the family problems and help create a positive family image through noteworthy achievement. This child receives positive attention but often develops perfectionistic, compulsive behaviors.• The Rebellious ChildThe "scapegoat" draws focus away from the family's problems and onto himself or herself with rebellious, uncontrollable behavior. This child consumes time and energy from the family members and often develops self-destructive life patterns.• The Reclusive ChildThe "lost child" hopes that by ignoring family problems, the difficulties will go away. This child avoids attent
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRose Publishing, Inc.
    Release dateJul 7, 2014
    ISBN9781596369375
    Dysfunctional Family: Making Peace With Your Past
    Author

    June Hunt

    June Hunt is the founder of Hope for the Heart, a worldwide biblical counseling ministry that provides numerous resources for people seeking help. She hosts a live, two-hour call-in counseling program called Hope in the Night, and is the author of Counseling Through Your Bible Handbook and How to Handle Your Emotions.

    Read more from June Hunt

    Related to Dysfunctional Family

    Related ebooks

    Christianity For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Listen: Am I Depressed?

      May 19, 2020

      Listen: Am I Depressed?
      6 min read

    • Article

      Learning To Forgive

      Jul 11, 2019

      Learning To Forgive
      1 min read

    • Article

      How Positions Of Power Fuel Narcissism

      May 3, 2018

      Endowing people with social power inflates the socially-toxic component of narcissism called exploitation and entitlement, according to new research. Until now, the assumption was that narcissists tended to clinch powerful positions for themselves. H

      3 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Mar 18, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      7 min read

    • Article

      Guarding against Deception

      Apr 22, 2019

      Bearing in mind the season we are in, the article may help the Body of Christ to bring guidance on some principles of the miraculous and the supernatural. As believers, we need to understand that there are two sources that relate to the supernatural.

      2 min read

    • Article

      Ambiverts Stand Up!

      Aug 19, 2019

      Ambiverts Stand Up!
      3 min read

    • Article

      Four Ways To Ease Family Life

      Apr 8, 2021

      Four Ways To Ease Family Life
      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      May 20, 2019

      Are you discouraged? Many times we become so discouraged by our situation, our circumstance, our trial, or our tribulations, that we forget that we are part of something bigger than this, something bigger than what we are going through, something bi

      6 min read

    • Article

      What About The CHILDREN?

      Sep 4, 2020

      Most adults ad have been navigating how to manage life in the “new normal” that we have all been forced into. This “new normal” that everyone has been referring to since lockdown is not in the distant future, nor is it a state of being after Covid-19

      2 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Jul 21, 2023

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      6 min read

    • Article

      Q&A

      Nov 22, 2022

      Q&A
      3 min read

    • Article

      Restless Hearts

      May 16, 2021

      Jo Willis is all too familiar with both the physical and emotional implications of adoption. She was adopted as a baby, and when she had children of her own, was gripped by an inexplicable sense of anxiety. She knows from personal and professional ex

      6 min read

    • Article

      Parenting Across The Globe

      Jun 24, 2020

      Parenting Across The Globe
      5 min read

    • Article

      Letter To The Editor

      Mar 16, 2020

      My working environment is non-Christian and I work very hard with long hours every day. After a few months, through the mighty and powerful work of the Holy Spirit, I started a prayer group at our workplace, but I have been doubting if this is the pl

      6 min read

    • Article

      Q&A

      Jan 17, 2023

      Q&A
      3 min read

    • Article

      There's A Name For The Ups And Downs Of New Motherhood: It's Called Matrescence

      Aug 8, 2021

      That postpartum feeling of being on an emotional rollercoaster, not recognizing your body in the mirror, thinking that you've lost yourself—it's all part of the process.

      5 min read

    • Article

      Samuel Rodriguez

      Jul 26, 2022

      Samuel Rodriguez
      2 min read

    • Article

      A Team Of Rivals

      Dec 10, 2020

      A Team Of Rivals
      6 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Dysfunctional Family

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Dysfunctional Family - June Hunt

      DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY

      Making Peace with Your Past

      Cathey Brown knows about dysfunctional families. She has immersed herself into thousands of them.

      As an adult child of two alcoholics, Cathey is keenly aware of the sizeable swath of dysfunction that can sweep through families, consuming and crippling them when chemical dependence reigns in a home. Therefore, she has devoted her life to reaching struggling children, teaching invaluable life skills and instilling a sense of significance in them despite the most dysfunctional of families.

      Cathey is founder of Rainbow Days, which has provided support groups for nearly 65,000 children since its inception. I consider the work I do with Rainbow Days to be my calling and one of the main reasons God put me on earth, Cathey reflects. I feel very blessed to do something that I enjoy, that utilizes my strengths and helps make a difference in the lives of children.¹

      Cathey’s heart resembles the heart of the apostle Paul ...

      ... by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35)

      DEFINITIONS

      On the outside, they look so picture perfect.

      Cathey Brown is raised in a traditional family, each member assuming the public role that communicates normalcy, congeniality, and the classic message: We’ve got it all together, everything is great within the walls of our house.²

      But behind closed doors things are falling apart. Cathey’s father suddenly becomes verbally abusive and sometimes even physically violent, a transformation in behavior that terrifies Cathey and shatters her sense of security. Years pass before she connects her parents’ arguments and meltdown of emotions to alcohol. Somehow Cathey always feels at fault for the family’s dysfunction, and a sense of inadequacy and powerlessness swells within her spirit.³

      She strives to compensate by overachieving, avowing to attain perfection and gain significance through top-notch grades in school and commendable extracurricular activities. Cathey feels she can control these areas, but the truth is that her chaotic home life is controlling her.⁴

      Scripture gives direction about who, not what, should be controlling our minds ...

      ... the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)

      WHAT IS a Dysfunctional Family?⁵

      There is truth to the old adage, appearances can be deceiving.

      Some envision alcoholics as skid row bums, languishing on dirty city streets while downing liquor from a bottle wrapped in a brown paper bag. Statistics indicate only 3% of alcoholics fit this image.

      Cathey’s father always holds down a job and responsibly meets most of the family’s financial needs. However, there is no doubt that his drinking diminishes his ability to fully function as a father and husband and negatively affects the entire family’s emotional health.⁶

      The number one obstacle for alcoholics and their families to receive healing from all forms and causes of dysfunction is denial. Unfortunately, a sense of shame and embarrassment in disclosing neediness prevents or delays enlisting the help and prayers of others—precisely what is necessary to no longer remain a dysfunctional family.

      Scripture directs ...

      Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1