Dysfunctional Family (Making Peace with Your Past)

In many ways, dysfunctional families are becoming the “new norm” in our society, affecting families in and outside the church. In this minibook, 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 minibook explains how to reverse the impact of unhealthy family relationships.

Topics addressed:

• 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?
• Signs, symptoms, and common characteristics of a dysfunctional family.
• 8 dominant traits characterized by dysfunctional families, including chaos, control, denial, inconsistency, emotional indifference, instability, shame, and unpredictability.
• How unresolved conflicts in the past often cause children to repeat the dysfunctional behavior of their parents.
• A checklist to see if you—or someone you know—is showing signs of unresolved conflict.
• Dozens of step-by-steps suggestions and practical ways to replace “old mindsets and behaviors” from unhealthy family relationships with God’s truth.

The dynamics of dysfunction are detrimental to the family. Discover how to cultivate your family now for the generations that follow as you establish and apply the principles of biblical truth in your own family.

Look for more titles in the Hope for the Heart series. These mini-books are for people who seek freedom from codependency, anger, conflict, verbal and emotional abuse, depression, or other problems.