For better or for worse, family is an essential part of who you are and who you will become. But family can never be perfect. It can be healthy, loving, and supportive; unhealthy, cold, and dysfunctional; or anywhere in between. It can be a traditional family, a single parent family, a blended family, or an adoptive family. Family is where you’re encouraged to thrive, or learn just to survive. Whatever description fits your family, take courage. With God’s help, you can intentionally build a family that thrives spiritually, emotionally, and relationally.

A spiritually healthy family is bound together by their shared relationship with God and commitment to grow in that relationship by reading and studying God’s Word together, praying together, and through active involvement in a local church.

An emotionally healthy family loves one another unconditionally (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-8) and accepts one another completely—faults and all. Let your home be a place where family members can be themselves without fear of judgment, can cry without being ridiculed, and are free to make mistakes without condemnation (see Romans 8:1).

Finally, a relationally healthy family is committed to one another. This is demonstrated by their love, support, and loyalty to one another and the strong relationships that they form. Make regular plans for your family to have fun together, make great memories, and share lots of laughter.