How to Lead Your Family into Joy
How do parents cultivate joy to their families when it seems like there is tension, stress, and conflict all around?
The balance of staying informed about the events of the world and having joyful moments with our families can be challenging. When parents learn to process and regulate their own emotions, they increase their ability to be present for their children and find those moments of joy.
In 1 Peter 5:2-3, Christian parents are instructed to lead their children by example instead of being sucked into the worry of tomorrow.
Laughter
Explore the wonders of God
Adopt a new tradition
Discover
Laughter
"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
Proverbs reminds us that God longs to hear the laughter from His children. Sometimes, laughter doesn’t just automatically happen; it can require intentionality and a willingness to lighten the mood in your home. Other times, a spontaneous joke naturally uplifts your spirits and brings joy to your family.
Depending upon the ages of your children, you may engage in a playful activity, share an age-appropriate joke, or put on a family favorite song and dance together in the kitchen. Engaging in playfulness in everyday activities, such as silly songs or games, may be helpful in cultivating laughter and joy within the family.
Explore the Wonders of God
"How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures."
Psalm 104:24
As you explore the wonders of the world created by God, our hearts can be filled with awe and joy.
When parents invite their children to see the wonders of God’s creation, together, you can marvel at the intricate details of a flower or a leaf as you go on a nature walk around your neighborhood. Older children may find joy as they gaze at the vastness of the starry night with a parent.
Parents can also highlight to their children the peace felt as the natural world can quiet our minds and soothe our souls.
Adopt a New Tradition
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
Parents may find comfort in passing down family traditions. Yet, there is also joy in creating new family traditions to deepen faith and strengthen the bond within the family.
There can be many blessings of meaningful connections that come when families embrace something new together. Adopting a new tradition can also nurture spiritual growth that can produce fruit for future generations.
A new tradition can be expressing gratitude around the dinner table, serving your neighbors, or weekly game nights.
Discover
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work."
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Each family member brings unique gifts and talents that contribute to the richness of your family. Parents can discover the specific interests of each family member, fin commonalities within the family, and then nurture these gifts together. This can bring great joy to each member of the family while at the same time strengthening the connections within your family and with God.
Together, a parent and child could enjoy a physical activity such as going on a bike ride, watching a concert or playing, creating a painting, assembling a puzzle, or hiking in nature.
