“Being a dad after God’s own heart requires team effort.” ~ Jim George
God gave fathers a challenging assignment when He designed for them to be the leaders of their homes.
Although it’s quite an honor, being a father is no easy task.
There’s a lot of responsibility for the role of the head of a home. He has to lead with wisdom, integrity and strength. He has to know how to teach and guide with humility as well as with discipline. Sometimes he has to be gentle, and other times he has to practice tough love. He also has to provide and protect his family at all times.
A father, like Christ, carries the burden of being the umbrella of authority over each and every member of his family.
Being a father is a big job, but it was never meant to be handled alone. What many fathers may not realize is that they need the support of others to help them.
This Father’s Day, give your father the gift of encouragement (tweet this).
Fathers need encouragement from many different sources.
First of all, they need the Lord’s encouragement. They need to lean in and on Jesus to guide them through every step of fatherhood. After all, every man is first under Christ’s authority (1 Corinthians 11:3).
Secondly, they need their wives to encourage them (Proverbs 31:12). They need to know their wives are on the same team as them and that they are working together. Fathers need the encouragement of their wives as they co-lead in raising their children.
Fathers also need encouragement from other men, such as other fathers and church leaders. They need other men that they can be accountable to with all areas of their lives. They need men that they can be comfortable being vulnerable and honest with.
Last, but certainly not least, fathers need encouragement from their children. The Bible is clear on “children honor your mother and father” (Ephesians 6:1-3). I realize in some situations, such as in separated or divorced families, this is not always easy. If that’s you, I encourage you to honor your father as best as you can,doing it onto the Lord.
For this Father’s Day, Carve out some time to sit and reflect on the man your father is, and then tell him in words how much he means to you.
Try to be as specific as possible as you write him a note or letter expressing your feelings towards him.
Or if you prefer, you could verbally encourage your father.
Thank him for all that he has done for you and let him know how grateful you are for him.
This Father’s Day give your father, your husband, your friend the gift that will help him become the best father he could be- give him your encouragement.
Feel free to leave me a comment below on ways that you have encouraged your father.
“Those who fear the Lord are secure; He will be a refuge for their children.” ~ Proverbs 14:26
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Will says
Great words. It encouraged me just by reading it! Thanks
tweenyrandall says
So grateful for you, father of my beautiful children. I sure hope we encourage you enough. Love you so much~ 🙂
Susana says
Thank you for the wisdom in these words. Reading your post reminded me to also include my older brother in my list of the fathers I need to encourage. Thanks so much.
tweenyrandall says
Thanks Susana! 🙂