While seated at the dinner table, you shoot your spouse a discouraged look and continue to push your food across your plate. Out of the corner of your eye, you notice your children texting, despite your constant pleas to make dinner a phone-free event. When you ask them to put their phones away, a fight breaks out—just like it always does.

"You hate fun!" your daughter yells. Your son follows up with more anger: "This family is a joke."

Have you been here before?

Maybe your kids need new clothes, your spouse needs a new car and you need a vacation. But with barely enough money to pay your bills, you can't possibly satisfy everyone. Family tension has been rising for weeks—and you're struggling to keep everyone calm.

Or maybe your in-laws openly disapprove of your life decisions. When you show up at family functions, you pretend you have it all together. But you're tired of faking it. And the distance between you has started to create a rift in your family.

How do you respond?

You can start by turning to God's Word for peace, hope and perseverance. These four Bible verses will get you started:

Colossians 1:11-12 (GNTD)

May you be made strong with all the strength which comes from his glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience. And with joy give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to have your share of what God has reserved for his people in the kingdom of light.

Romans 14:19 (GNTD)

So then, we must always aim at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another.

Psalm 31:3 (GNTD)

You are my refuge and defense; guide me and lead me as you have promised.

Isaiah 40:31 (GNTD)

But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.