Read

2 Timothy 1:7

Reflect

Some days I can certainly find it challenging to display the fruit of the spirit when it comes to raising my kids. I can feel exhausted and impatient and at times struggle to exercise as much self-control as I’d like. Don’t get me wrong, we share many amazing moments as a family – snuggles on the sofa before bedtime, our Saturday morning pancake breakfast and those little moments when my heart could burst because one of my kids has showed love and kindness to someone else. But more often than I care to admit, my days can feel ‘flat’.

It’s so easy to allow the monotony of everyday life to dictate the atmosphere in our homes. I let that happen more than I realise, but when I do realise it, I’m trying to teach myself to take action.

2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that “the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

I want our home to be filled with God’s presence. I want it to be a place where we learn to think of others and put them first. Where we discover faith together. Where we journey through the ups and downs, the tears, the outbursts and the uncontrollable fits of spontaneous laughter when someone does something silly!

When I think about being an ‘atmosphere’ keeper in my home, I’ve started focusing on the words I speak. The words I say to my family out loud, and the words I speak in the quiet, to myself. Every word counts. Every word has the power to raise up, or tear down. I certainly don’t get it right all of the time, but I’m trying to be intentional in recognising when I can do this better. The great thing is, there’s no end to the number of times we can draw a line and start again!

To help me I’ve been reflecting on these verses in 2 Timothy and in Proverbs 18:21 which reminds us that the tongue has the power of life and death within it.

Connecting these two passages of scripture has helped me to practise being more intentional in how I speak to my family (and to myself). We can see through the wisdom of Solomon that our words have the power of life and death. But we also find encouragement in Paul’s letter to Timothy, where he says that God gives us the gifts of power, love and self-discipline. Thankfully, reflecting on these scriptures can empower and help us to speak in a way that brings life.

Does that mean it will be easy? No! Of course not. Being a parent is one of life’s greatest honours, but it can also be really challenging. Our children will try our patience daily. But we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us to speak with power, love and self-discipline.

Throughout this devotional series we’re focusing more on our words each week by grounding them in the word of God. One of the best ways of applying the truth and guidance of scripture is to memorise it.

So if you’re looking for that extra dose of power today, if you want more self-discipline to handle the challenges, or you want to speak life and wholeness into your family … speak scripture! Find a verse that means something to you in this season, memorise it, practice it and share it with the whole family.

There’s no greater accountability in the way we use our words than involving our kids on our own growth journey!

Remember

“The tongue has the power of life and death.” Proverbs 18:21

Family idea

Go online, check out the song ‘Our God’ by Go Fish and learn the action moves together. Songs are a great way of remembering God’s word and applying it to our lives. You’ll have a lot of fun together too!