Toxic Family Patterns

19-24 (Young Adult) Female

"No one in my family has ever been successful—ambition is foolish for people like us."

LIE: My family's lack limits me. TRUTH: God does EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY above all I think—I'm the head. (Eph 3:20)

See Truth Ephesians 3:20

60-69 (Sixties) Female

"The dysfunction in my family is a generational curse that can't be broken."

LIE: Generational curses transfer automatically. TRUTH: The son shall not bear the father's guilt—Christ's blood sever...

See Truth Ezekiel 18:20

19-24 (Young Adult) Female

"My family's dysfunction is genetic—I'll inevitably repeat their patterns with my own future childr..."

LIE: My family dysfunction is genetic. TRUTH: I'm a new creation—old bloodlines passed away. I'm Abraham's seed now. (...

See Truth 2 Corinthians 5:17

19-24 (Young Adult) Male

"Divorce is inevitable in my family—my relationships are doomed too."

LIE: Divorce is my family curse. TRUTH: God RESTORES what was devoured—all things possible with Him. Joel 2:25, Matt 1...

See Truth Joel 2:25

13-15 (Early Teen) Female

"Mental illness is in my family DNA, so I should just accept I'll struggle too."

LIE: Mental illness in family DNA means I'll struggle. TRUTH: By His stripes you ARE healed—you have Christ's MIND, no...

See Truth Isaiah 53:5

90+ (Nineties Plus) Male

"The anger in our family is just who we are—it will never change."

LIE: Anger is genetic destiny. TRUTH: In Christ you're a NEW CREATION—old things PASSED AWAY, DNA rewritten (2 Cor 5:1...

See Truth 2 Corinthians 5:17

70-79 (Seventies) Male

"My children are repeating my mistakes because I modeled the wrong way to live."

LIE: My example determined their destiny. TRUTH: God who BEGAN good work in them will COMPLETE it. Phil 1:6

See Truth Philippians 1:6

40-49 (Forties) Male

"Mental illness is hereditary—my mother's depression and my grandmother's breakdowns mean I'm desti..."

LIE: Mental illness is my genetic destiny. TRUTH: Your heritage is from the Lord—no weapon prospers, you have a sound ...

See Truth Isaiah 54:17

10-12 (Pre-Teen) Male

"Addiction runs in my family, so I'm more vulnerable and will probably struggle with it too."

LIE: Addiction is genetic and inevitable. TRUTH: You're a NEW CREATION—old things passed away. (2 Cor 5:17)

See Truth 1 Corinthians 10:13

60-69 (Sixties) Female

"My siblings and I will never reconcile; our family is just permanently broken."

LIE: My family is permanently broken. TRUTH: God restores years locusts ate; nothing is impossible with Him. (Joel 2:25,...

See Truth Joel 2:25

16-18 (Late Teen) Male

"No one in my family has ever succeeded. Why would I be different?"

LIE: My family never succeeded, so I won't. TRUTH: God chose DAVID—forgotten, youngest, zero legacy—and made him KIN...

See Truth 1 Samuel 16:11-13

16-18 (Late Teen) Male

"My parents' divorce means I'll never have a healthy marriage either."

LIE: Parents' divorce means I'll divorce. TRUTH: God's thoughts for you are PEACE and HOPE—future not bound by past (J...

See Truth Jeremiah 29:11

30-39 (Thirties) Female

"Everyone in my family struggles with addiction or depression—it's just our genetic lot in life."

LIE: My family's mental health struggles are my genetic destiny. TRUTH: You're a new creation—old bloodline has no aut...

See Truth John 8:36

10-12 (Pre-Teen) Male

"Every man in my family fails at marriage, so I probably will too."

LIE: Family divorce pattern will repeat. TRUTH: What GOD joins, man cannot separate. (Matt 19:6)

See Truth Malachi 2:16

60-69 (Sixties) Male

"Alcoholism runs in my family—my grandkids are genetically predisposed to addiction."

LIE: Addiction is genetic in my family. TRUTH: Such WERE some of you—past tense. You're WASHED, sanctified, justified....

See Truth 1 Corinthians 6:11

25-29 (Late Twenties) Male

"Every man in my family has failed at marriage so I'm destined to fail too."

LIE: My family's divorce rate dooms me. TRUTH: God is doing a NEW thing—making roads where none existed. Isaiah 43:18-...

See Truth Isaiah 43:18-19

60-69 (Sixties) Female

"My father's anger issues mean I'm destined to rage too; I see it surfacing in me."

LIE: I'm becoming my angry father. TRUTH: God gave you a NEW heart and NEW spirit—you're not repeating his pattern. (E...

See Truth Ezekiel 36:26

70-79 (Seventies) Female

"My family is too broken—God's given up on us."

LIE: Too broken for God. TRUTH: His mercies are new every morning—where sin abounds, grace abounds MORE (Lam 3:22-23)

See Truth Lamentations 3:22-23

70-79 (Seventies) Female

"My family never succeeds financially—poverty is our inheritance."

LIE: My family's always poor. TRUTH: Christ became poor so you'd be rich—Abraham's blessing is yours (2 Cor 8:9)

See Truth 2 Corinthians 8:9

16-18 (Late Teen) Female

"Addiction runs in my family—I'm destined to struggle with it too."

LIE: Addiction runs in my family—I'll struggle too. TRUTH: If the Son makes you free, you're FREE INDEED. (John 8:36)

See Truth John 8:36