I’m sure you have heard it said that a family that prays together, stays together. But is that all that makes a family spiritually strong? That is the topic of today’s post. What I have discovered is that praying together or even attending church, while important, is not all that is characteristic of a spiritually healthy, or a Proverbs 31 family.
The Proverbs 31 Woman is a trustworthy helpmeet for her husband. She takes excellent care of her family. Her husband praises her, and her children and her husband call her blessed. She has a spiritually healthy family. Like marriage, God created family, and family is an important part of God’s plan for His kingdom as we can see in Ephesians 3:14-15:
“For this reason [grasping the greatness of this plan by which Jews and Gentiles are joined together in Christ] I bow my knees [in reverence] before the Father [of our Lord Jesus Christ], from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name [God—the first and ultimate Father].”
Being a part of a family does not guarantee your love and acceptance, however. We only need to look at Cain’s murder of his brother, Abel; the estrangement of Jacob and Esau; the decision of Joseph’s brother’s to sell him into slavery; or the betrayal of David by some of his family members to see that. Satan attacks anything important to God’s plans for His kingdom, including families and that continues today.
Over the past year, families have been tested: we have not been able to gather together or even celebrate holidays. Many have even lost loved ones to Covid. It is times like these where having a strong family is most important, where being prepared for the future like the Proverbs 31 Woman would be most beneficial.
Here are five attributes of a spiritually strong, or a Proverbs 31, family.
A Proverbs 31 Family Has a Godly Foundation
Each family member should have their own relationship with God and live in unity with the Holy Spirit. Every family member should display faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13). This means that the children in the family have to not only be taught God’s ways, but parents also have to train their children up in them. Parents should purpose in their hearts to do so.
The Proverbs 31 Woman loves Jesus and follows His ways. She teaches her children the ways of her Heavenly Father and models the love of Christ for them.
Collectively, the family should share the same faith. A house that is divided cannot stand (Mark 3:24-25), and being of the same accord brings Jesus into the mix (Matthew 18:20). Some ways to fellowship with your family:
- Say grace together before meals.
- Have family Bible time together, regularly. A family Bible devotional can be helpful.
- Attend church together.
If you have children, say prayers together at bedtime. Teach them to pray and model it for them.
“and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may [reverently] fear Me forever, for their own good and for the good of their children after them.”
– Jeremiah 32:39 AMP
See Related: Becoming a Daughter of God
A Proverb 31 Family Communicates
Communication is key in any relationship and that is true of families as well. The Proverbs 31 Woman’s husband and children praised her and called her blessed (Proverbs 31:28-29). Family members should edify and speak blessings over each other.
Provide a safe place for everyone to be themselves, for feelings to be communicated, for conflicts to be resolved, etc.
Offenses should be communicated to the loved one responsible so that they may have an opportunity to ask for forgiveness. Christians are to speak to each other with honesty, and to treat each other in a way that is helpful and honors rather than hinders (Ephesians 4:25; Romans 14:13).
The Proverbs 31 Woman could laugh at the future without fear because she knew that she had prepared herself and her family for it. Encourage your family members not to fear the future but to know that they are with God. Teach your children to pray and model it for them.
See Related: Build a Home as a Proverbs 31 Woman
A Proverbs 31 Family Holds Each Other Accountable
God corrects His children. We are to do the same when we see a member of our family make ungodly, unrighteous decisions.
“Pay attention and always be on guard [looking out for one another]! If your brother sins and disregards God’s precepts, solemnly warn him; and if he repents and changes, forgive him.”
– Jesus (Luke 17:3 AMP)
And if he does not repent, Jesus teaches us what to do (Matthew 18:15-18):
- Show him his fault in private; if he listens and pays attention to you, you have won back your brother.
- If he does not listen, take along with you one or two others, so that every word may be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
- If he pays no attention to them [refusing to listen and obey], tell it to the church.
- If he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile (unbeliever) and a tax collector.
Families who are spiritually strong have each other’s best interest at heart. The Proverbs 31 Woman’s husband could safely trust her with his heart because she was faithful to God and His ways.
Family members should encourage each other to live a life of faith and hold each other accountable when any do not (Ezekiel 33:8). Every family member should be encouraged to plan a future that is God-filled, and have high expectations and set Godly examples for each other.
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together.”
– Hebrews 10:24-25a
See Related: 7 Ways to Renew Your Mind as a Daughter of God
A Proverbs 31 Woman Gives Grace
Everyone feels like they belong in a family that is spiritually strong. The Proverbs 31 Woman creates an environment of warmth and acceptance in her home for her family. Every member of a family should feel loved and accepted. Parents should model what love looks like for their children by loving each other and demonstrating it to them.
Parents should also discipline their children in love and with the wisdom of God. Forgiveness should be readily available. Every member should feel safe to make mistakes and learn from them.
“Families stick together in all kinds of trouble.”
– Proverbs 17:17b MSG
See Related: Developing Inner Beauty
A Proverbs 31 Family Enjoys Quality Time Together
A Proverbs 31 Woman spends her time on things which are pleasing to the Lord. Creating fun memories strengthens family ties. Holidays, reunions, vacations, and other celebrations are perfect opportunities for bonding.
Satan wants jealousy and division. God, however, wants families to live together in peace (Psalms 133:1).
“Look at how good and pleasing it is when families live together as one!”
– Psalms 133:1 CEB
See Related: My Family Reunion Traditions
What are some of your family’s strengths? What are some things you would like to work on? Please comment below.
Blessings!
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