Meet Erin McLaughlin

These verses remind me a lot of trying to host Thanksgiving dinner. Whether you split up the cooking and tasks between family members or you do it all yourself, there's always tension simmering, waiting to rise as soon as you catch a whiff of something going wrong. Maybe you forgot to turn on the oven for the turkey at 8 a.m. like you'd planned; your kids start fighting two minutes before guests arrive; or conversation turns to that “one topic” that must not be mentioned.

The very purpose of this passage is to inform the reader that we can be encouraged and reminded not only of God's goodness and endurance, but that the Scriptures are full of truths and instruction on how to be unified. At the end of Romans 14, we are told to “pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Romans 14:19). In Romans 15, we see this theme continue in verses 4-7. Paul reminds us that that we have hope through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures. We can have harmony and unity with each other because we serve a God who gives us endurance and encouragement through His Word. 

Here are four ways to help you combat frustration and seek truth this Thanksgiving:

1. Pray for each person you will be engaging with and for each conversation that will happen around the table (Ephesians 4:29).
2. Don’t be so proud that you can’t ask for help (James 4:6)!
3. Find a way to bring uncomfortable conversations to a gentle close and speak the truth in love to those around you (James 3:17; Ephesians 4:15).
4. Leave room for error (Colossians 3:13-16).

When I am in a situation that throws me off, I forget that my number-one priority should be welcoming people into my home and speaking truth into their lives. These ideas and Scriptures can help bring unity and endurance during this holiday season. Don’t let the business or busyness of the holidays distract you from the gift of encouraging one another.