You Can Have a Strong Family

Who remembers what it was like when you first became a parent? How clueless you felt?

That’s exactly where one young dad found himself when someone recommended a book on gentle parenting -calm voices, positive affirmations, peaceful environments. He finished the book inspired and declared, “No more raised voices in this house. From now on, we speak in kindness and redirect with love!”

Then breakfast happened.

His 3-year-old decided that cereal belonged not in the bowl but on the floor – and not just dropped, but hurled. The dad knelt down, took a deep breath (as the book suggested), and whispered, “Honey, we don’t throw our food. Can you say that back to me?”

The toddler locked eyes, grinned, and launched the spoon across the kitchen.

The dad stood up and said to his wife, “Okay, I think we need a sequel to this book – Gentle Parenting 2: When You’re About to Lose Your Holy Ghost.”

Parenting isn’t easy. And that was before the internet and smartphones added a whole new layer of challenge. It’s nearly impossible to shield our kids from everything this world will try to expose them to, but that doesn’t mean we’re helpless.

Your Home Can Be a Safe Haven

Every home should be a place of safety. A place where your children feel protected. A place that is spiritual and centred on God.

But in order to cultivate that, we have to be aware of what’s in our house.

In 1 Samuel 19, we read about a moment when King Saul was trying to kill David. David’s wife, Michal (Saul’s daughter), caught wind of the plan and helped him escape out the window. To buy David time, she disguised a household idol in his bed to make it appear like he was sick.

Hold on, what was an idol doing in their house?!

David was the anointed one, the man after God’s own heart. Why was there an idol in his home? Whether he was unaware or simply tolerated it, this idol should have never been there.

Sometimes We Are Weakened by What We Tolerate

In Exodus 20, God made it clear:

“You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol… you shall not worship them nor serve them.” (Exodus 20:3–5)

Yet, in many homes in the Ancient Near East, household idols were common. They were used for divination, protection, inheritance, fertility, and even prosperity.

But everything those idols represented – guidance, protection, inheritance, prosperity – God had already promised His people:

• He guided them through the wilderness by cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21).
• He promised Abraham protection and reward (Genesis 15:1).
• He gave Israel a promised inheritance.
• He called His people to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1 & 17).

God is still the same today.

He will be your Guide.
He will be your Protection.
You have an inheritance in Him – eternal life.
He will cause you to prosper.
He will meet your need.

So again, what was an idol doing in their house?

Do You Know What’s in Your House?

What kind of entertainment is allowed in your home?

What music is played?

What apps are your kids using? Are there parental controls?

Are there conversations happening online that you’re unaware of?

Have idols crept in, stealing our worship, attention, and focus?

An idol is anything that takes our worship from God.

You cannot build a strong family, or have a strong walk with God, if idols remain hidden and unaddressed in your home or heart.

Cultivate a God-Centred Atmosphere

The atmosphere of your home matters. Is it godly? Is it Christ-centred?

We’ve been entrusted to nurture and protect our children, but parenting today is not easy.

Our parents didn’t have to face the same issues that we face today. There were no smartphones, AI, or social media in the 80s and 90s. We didn’t have apps streaming endless content or cultural confusion infiltrating every platform. But that’s what our children deal with daily.

We are not helpless.

We serve a God who still speaks, still reveals, still protects. I’ve heard stories of praying mums who were shown hidden issues in their children’s lives and they were able to help them in ways they would never have been able to without God. He is our defender, if we involve Him in prayer.

Pray over your children.
Pray over their minds.
Pray for wisdom in parenting.

And lean into the church. It is there to help. To pray. To teach. To be a godly influence. To create an environment where children experience the presence of God. I want to remind a parent that God can accomplish in five minutes what we could never accomplish on our own.

You are not alone.

Train Up a Child

Proverbs 22:6 tells us:

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

This is not necessary a promise from God but it is a principle. This verse is a reminder that we need to be intentional.

So how do we do that?

• Don’t just protect them – disciple them.
  You can’t shield them from everything. But you can teach them to make wise, godly decisions.
• Make prayer a daily part of your home.
• Be present.
  Make your children a priority. Be the lasting influence in their life.

If You Don’t Have Children…

You might be thinking, “This would’ve been helpful 20 years ago,” or “But I don’t have kids.”

Hear this, family is more than biology.

Two of the most influential people in my daughters’ lives never had children of their own. They began investing in our kids when they were in their 50s and they have left a godly legacy that spans generations.

The Apostle Paul had no children, yet he was a spiritual father to many – including Timothy, a young pastor he mentored through two New Testament letters.

Don’t underestimate your value.

Your presence matters.
Your prayers matter.
Your investment in others matters.

Practical Steps for Building a Strong Family

So, how do we have a strong family?

1. Remove the Idols

This will probably make you unpopular with the kids for a bit because they’re used to how things have been, but it is well worth it.

• Delete or restrict harmful apps
• Unsubscribe from unwholesome content
• Limit or monitor internet access with parental controls
• Re-evaluate friendships and commitments

It might be uncomfortable at first, but strength begins with hard choices.

2. Create a Christ-Centered Home

• Pray together
• Read Scripture daily
• Serve and give as a family
• Stay committed to your local church

Let the atmosphere of your home reflect the presence of God.

3. Strengthen Your Marriage

If you’re married, a strong marriage is foundational. Invest in one another. Make time. Forgive quickly. Pray together. A healthy marriage creates stability for the whole family.

Closing Thoughts

You can have a strong family.

Your home can be a place of peace, prayer, and purpose.

God can restore what’s broken. He can bring clarity to chaos. He can rebuild trust, rekindle love, and renew strength.

“Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age-old foundations;
And you will be called the repairer of the breach,
The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.”
– Isaiah 58:12

Let that be you.

Start today. Remove what doesn’t belong. Build what truly matters. And trust that God will meet you there.

You can have a strong family.