The new habit that God has spoken to you about may affect other people that you live with, live for and live around. Make sure it is a positive effect and make sure that it fits in with the family roles that God has currently ordained for you.
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD and who walks in His ways. When you eat the fruit of the labor of your hands, you will be happy and it will go well for you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house. Your children will be like olive plants around your table. Behold, for a man who fears the LORD in this way shall be blessed and shall see his children’s children. Psalms 128: 1-5
When God told Adam that it was not good for him to be alone and He formed Eve from one of his ribs, the first earthly family was born into the world (Genesis 2:18).
If you are alive, you have a family. You have two people who created you. You have someone who gave birth to you. You are living with someone in a house that hopefully is more than a building. If you are single and living alone, your apartment can still be His home. Your friends can still be His family. That building you live in is a house. But not every home houses a true family. Not every home supports its members in a way that is true to the way that God designed families. Godly support births families that are like healthy plants and are willing to labor for God’s best for them and for others.
Our new habits should cause our families to grow and prosper. Sometimes our new spiritual habits are family-neutral, but sometimes they involve others as we begin to carry them out. Take some time to explore these different roles from God’s perspective and make sure you are honoring your family in your new endeavors.
How did God design families to support His human creation?
A man shall be joined to his wife (Genesis 2:24).
Wives, let your husband lead as you let Christ lead you (Ephesians 5:22).
Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the church and gave Himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25).
An excellent wife is worthy (Proverbs 31:10).
Provide for your own household (1 Timothy 5:8).
Singles, you are gifted to spend your freer time pleasing the Lord (1 Cor 7:7, 32).
Fathers, do not discourage your children (Colossians 3:21).
Parents, train up your child in a godly way (Proverbs 22:6).
Honor your father and your mother (Exodus 20:12).
Children are a gift to their parents (Psalms 127:3).
Children, listen to the teaching of your parents (Proverbs 6:20).
Families, live together like a flock (Psalms 107:41).
Brothers and sisters in Christ, live in unity (Psalms 133:1).
A quiet, not stressful, house is best (Proverbs 17:1).
Grandchildren are a joy for the old (Proverbs 17:6).
Honor widows (1 Timothy 5:3).
Parenting and relationship helps are out there! Magazines, books, podcasts, therapists, life coaches … get whatever help works for you, but don’t dismiss the wisdom God has to offer. This is just a start, but sometimes the simplest changes can make the biggest difference!
Take the time to read each Bible reference as you look at all of the roles mentioned above.
Which one of your roles might need some realignment to go along with your new habit?
If you have the support of another person involved in that role, discuss what the Bible says about it with them and what God has spoken to you about. Or, if it is just you, talk to God or a godly friend about it.
What is one small thing you could do to see a positive change, some wonderful growth or a new attitude that might make a difference as you carry out that role and your new spiritual habit this week?
Loving God, You have created my family to nurture me and for me to nurture them. Show me how to do that better, and how to love them better. Show me how I can nurture Your children who go without. Amen.
happy hunger 
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