21 Days to Building a Faith Filled Family - Audio DevotionalSample

Developing an Interdependent Family

Hello friend. Welcome back to Day 6 of our journey towards building a strong and healthy Christian family. Today, we will explore the concept of developing an interdependent family.

As we prepare to spend some time with Jesus, may I pray for you?

Lord, thank you for this time with you and thank you for our families. We know that you have not only called us into our family, but you have a purpose for us inside our family. Please guide us to hear and understand how to meet the needs of our family members in a way that glorifies you. Amen

As we spend this time together, I encourage you to fully commit to Jesus over the next 15 min. Find a comfortable setting and remove any distractions. If you’re listening to the audio, let the sound of my voice lead you.

In our society, it's common for all of us to seek fulfillment and validation from sources outside the family. Some of us seek honor and respect in our professional lives, while others may seek love, security, and validation from friends, extended family or coworkers.

As a family, we need to ensure that those needs, specific for each family member, are also being met inside the home. This strengthens everybody’s personal identity, and our collective family identity. As we talked about yesterday, this is part of our purpose inside our home.

When family members look outside the home to find the source of their identity, this is called an Independent Family.

Sure, personal independence, like strong decision-making skills, and financial independence are good things. But to live independent of your family is not a good thing. Remember, God, in His sovereignty, put your family together and placed you in that family for a purpose. That purpose is not to live independent of each other.

One of the most important purposes you can fulfill in your family is to build, enhance, and develop your relationship with your other family members. You can play a vital role in ensuring that your family members feel fulfilled inside your home.

When family members look and find their primary source of identity within the home, this is called an Interdependent Family. This cornerstone concept is essential in our pursuit of fostering family identity and purpose.

Take a moment to reflect on the unique gifts, talents, and passions that God has bestowed upon you. How can you leverage these gifts to contribute to the well-being and flourishing of your family?

[PAUSE FOR REFLECTION]

Consider your unique role inside your family. Are you a spouse, a parent, a sibling, or a grandparent? Each of these has a unique opportunity to be a source of strength and stability for your family, fostering an environment where others can thrive, grow, and learn.

Your actions today will influence how everybody in your family views family, love, and commitment. Have you ever thought about it like that? That your family isn’t just something you experience, but it’s something that you contribute to?

As a family, it's essential to create an environment where these needs are recognized and fulfilled. This begins with open communication and mutual respect among family members, and can start with you.

You might be the proudest parent, aunt, or uncle in your heart and mind. But, if you’re not openly and verbally communicating how proud you are, your family members probably think that you aren’t thinking about them. Most of us take silence from family members as rejection.

Let’s make the commitment today that our family won't doubt our love, gratitude, and admiration. As far as it depends on us, we’re going to be an over-the-top verbalizer of love and commitment to our family. Let’s make that commitment to Jesus right now.

“Jesus, I know you have blessed me with a wonderful family. We might not always get everything right but, I commit now to encourage, support, and build up my family members so they know that family is the safest and greatest place to find their identity.”

[PAUSE FOR REFLECTION]

Let's begin by acknowledging that each family member has unique needs. Some family members look for honor and respect. We can pour into them based on who they are, not what they do. We can encourage them as a great leader, problem solver, and provider.

Other family members might find identity through feeling loved and secure. Find ways to support them emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. Speak often of how great your family is, and consciously point out the great aspects of your family.

You might have a family member who looks to feel seen, valued, and appreciated for their uniqueness and beauty while others may need affirmation that they have what it takes to succeed. Be willing to be the greatest supporter and cheerleader for your family.

These are only some examples, but overall, encourage each other to express one’s needs and feelings openly and without judgment. Take time to listen to one another and validate each other's experiences.

Relationships are built by spending quality time together as a family. Engage in activities that promote bonding and strengthen relationships. This could include family dinners, game nights or outdoor adventures. By investing time and energy into nurturing your family relationships, you create a sense of security and belonging for each member.

This is a big topic today. You have what it takes to succeed and be the loudest most positive voice in the family.

After all, to build, grow and enhance relationships is one of your greatest purposes inside your family.

I’ll leave you with Jesus now. Take all the time you’d like.

I’ll talk to you tomorrow.