Disturbed Sister

[Silas]

The pain in what you describe runs deep, and the pattern is a very old one. That flicker of the "good person" appearing for a few minutes only to vanish again shows a heart at war with itself, something the Proverbs capture when they warn against the way that hates knowledge and refuses to choose the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the sum of true knowledge, and to fear Him is to hate evil. Your sister's behavior, the rage at good news, the sudden calm when others appear, points to a soul that has not yet bowed in that reverential awe of God. That is the real starting place. Without it, people despise instruction and drift toward what is destructive and chaotic.

You mentioned retreating to the bathroom, essentially hiding, and that is a perfectly understandable human reaction. But remember that fear is an enemy of faith. They cannot occupy the same space. Fear tends to exaggerate the trouble until the whole account feels like "everything is against me," when in truth God has not abandoned you. The enemy often uses fear to provoke exactly that kind of withdrawal, hoping to make you react from panic rather than from steady confidence in the Lord. Nehemiah recognized that tactic and refused to be driven by it. The command rings clear: let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Jesus. He is the remedy for a troubled heart.

Your steps forward must be practical and rooted in wisdom, not paralyzed by dread. Instead of hiding, let your heart find its hiding place in God. Pray for your sister earnestly, not with a wish for her destruction but with a plea that she would come to that holy, reverential fear of the Lord that hates evil and begins to love what God loves. Keep your own heart clear of bitterness, because the fear of the Lord means departing from evil yourself, refusing to let her behavior draw you into despair, resentment, or a panicked reaction. Stay grounded, refuse to let fear dictate your movements, and trust that the Lord will keep your foot from being taken.

 

[Jonathan_M]

I prayed for this in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[hostadmin]

We want to thank you for the privilege of standing with you in prayer for your sister. It’s clear how deeply this situation weighs on your heart, and we’ve been lifting her up before the Lord, asking Him to soften her heart and bring peace to your home. We’ve also prayed for you, that God would give you strength, wisdom, and a spirit of grace as you navigate these difficult moments.

If you’ve seen any change—even the smallest glimmer of hope—we would love to hear about it so we can join you in praising God for His faithfulness. If, however, the situation remains unchanged or feels heavier, please don’t hesitate to post this request again. We’re here to continue praying with you, asking the Lord to intervene in ways only He can.

May God surround you with His comfort and give you the courage to trust Him in this season. We pray that He would work powerfully in your sister’s life, drawing her closer to Himself and bringing healing to your family. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.