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Make Your Family a Safe Haven

Posted on January 16, 2013 by ideacreamanuela

Having no natural affection. With

those sad words, the Bible describes

many people of our time, a period

called the last days. (2 Timothy

3:1, 3, 4) The epidemic of child

abuse in the family furnishes vivid

proof of the truth of that prophecy.

A Family United by Love

Love, the Bible tells us, is a

perfect bond of union. (Colossians

3:14) As described in the Bible, love is not simply a feeling. It is defined by the way it

motivatesby the conduct it prompts and the deeds it forbids. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) In the

family, showing love means treating each member with dignity, respect, and kindness. It

means living in harmony with Gods view of each family member. God gives each one an

honorable and important role.

As the family head, thefatheris to take the lead in showing love. He understands that a

Christian father is not given license to be a tyrant, abusing hispowerover his wife or children.Rather, he looks to Christ as his example in headship. (Ephesians 5:23, 25) So he is tender

and loving with his wife and patient and gentle with his children. He loyallyprotects them and

gives his all to prevent anything from happening that might rob them of their peace, their

innocence, or their sense of trust and safety.

Likewise, thewife and mother has a role of vital importance and dignity. The Bible uses the

protective instincts of mothers in the animal kingdom to illustrate how protective Jehovah

and Jesus can be. (Matthew 23:37) A human mother should likewise be staunchly protective

of her children. Lovingly, she is quick to put their safety and well-being ahead of her own. The

parents do not allow abuse of power, bullying, or intimidation to enter into their dealings with

each other or with their children; nor do they allow their children to use such tactics on one

another.

As each family member treats the others with respect and dignity, good communication

thrives. Granted, we live in a wicked world and not all abuse can be prevented. Even so a safe

home can make a world of difference. If some member of the family is hurt outside the home,

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he or she knows just where to run for comfort and sympathy. Such a home is truly a refuge, a

safe haven in a troubled world. May God bless your efforts to make your family just like that!

AWAKE!, 10 2007

See also: How to Make Your Family Life Happy, available for download at www.jw.org

Photo Credit: Tetra Images Royalty-Free

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