Why should I put God before my family?

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you"     Matthew 6:3 NIV

This question was something I didn't know the answer to for a long time. I was brought up in the church, I heard it all the time. "Put God first in your life." After I became a wife and mother I still didn't understand how I could possibly put God before my own spouse and children. This just sounded unfair to them, almost selfish. I didn't know God personally, why was it so important for him to be my first thought in everything?

The book that I have been reading, "The Excellent Wife," (see marriage tab of my blog) has been teaching me more than just how to be a Godly wife, it's been teaching me how to be a Godly human being.

God wants to be first in my life and now I understand why. I think about what God wants from me all the time. I think about how I am to act and treat others according to his word. When I'm happy, angry, frustrated, or sad, I open my bible and I read and I learn. It was like a light bulb came on.

God should be first in my life, because everything I learn from his word, makes my relationships better. Before I yell at someone for doing something wrong, I remember not to repay evil with evil. Before I spend too much time worrying over things, I remember to cast my anxieties on the Lord, because he cares for me. When I'm happy, I remember that it is the will of God for me to be happy, and give thanks to him for that. If I am feeling bitter about someone, I remember that God forgives my sins, and I can easily forgive others of theirs. If I am sad, I remember that the Lord saves the crushed in spirit.

All of these things come from scripture. When you pick up the bible, you will find verses all over it that can be comforting and make perfect sense if you have an open mind and an open heart.

"In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:6 NIV

Because I seek guidance from God for all things in my life, he gives this to me!

A big problem I had was spending way too much time wondering how this person or that person felt about me. What have I done wrong? What have I said that was wrong? Do they even like me?

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."    Galations 1:10 NIV

I don't worry anymore, I feel the love of those who love me, and wash away the sadness for those who don't accept me because I am glorifying God and he is my protector.

Putting my relationships with man first before God is like having people in your life and no guidance for living in harmony and happiness with them. Putting God first before man is having the wisdom and ability to make the relationships I have with the people I love thrive.

Makes sense to me.