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Building Strong Families

It is important to distinguish between

spiritual and religious in regard to well-

being. Religious refers to more public and

external systems linked to denominations,

while spiritual focuses on private, more

universal beliefs (Erisman, 2004). Families

define spirituality in different ways.

However, common themes include unity,

development of virtue, integrity, and

kindness. Agreement on spiritual beliefs is

strongly linked to more successful

marriages (Larson & Olson, 2004). To

promote spirituality, families may observe

a devotional or prayer time every day.

They may seek out inspirational settings

(camping in a forest, a vacation to the

mountains) to demonstrate God’s

wonders and their place as stewards of

God’s earth. Marriage and family

therapists often encourage Christian

couples to spend time each day in couple

devotions. This frequently provides the

motivation for parents to also have

devotions with their children.

Spiritual well-being acts as a nerve

center within each human being which

promotes sharing love and compassion for

others. When spiritual ethics are observed

in the family setting, love, care,

benevolence, and compassion result.

Therefore, expression of family spiritual

well-being can often be observed in

service to others outside the family.

Faith is an important component of

spiritual well-being. Faith fosters gratitude

and hope, allowing a family to recognize

even the little things in life as special events.

Faith provides a way to put successes and

failures into perspective. It also reinforces

families during stress and crisis.

Strong families have a common belief in something

greater than themselves, they share common values

and beliefs, giving them a sense of unity and purpose.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever
is admirable—if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy—think about such things.
—Philippians 4:8

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he
is old he will not turn from it.
—Proverbs 22:6

Image from BigstockPhoto.com / MichelleAnnB