How Can Your Family Be Happy?

1. Why is marriage vital to family happiness?

      The good news comes from Jehovah, the happy God, who wants families to be happy.  (1 Timothy 1:11) He originated marriage.  Legal marriage is vital to family happiness because it provides a secure environment in which to raise children. Christians should respect local laws concerning the registration of marriage.  Read Luke 2:1, 4, 5.

     How does God view marriage?  He wants it to be a permanent union between a man and a woman (male and female gender only not transgenders or males who think they should be females or females who think or change themselves into males. That is sick,  Jehovah made us who we are for a reason, we should not change who we are.  That is not our place to do that)  Jehovah wants husbands and wives to be loyal to each other.  (Hebrews  13:4) He hates divorce.  (Malachi 2:16)  But he does allow Christians to remarry only when the spouse is widowed.  Also, Christians are allow divorce  when the other spouse has fornicated with another person-cheated on their spouse. If you divorce for any other reason and remarry, then that is adultery. Matthew 19:9.

2. How should a husband and wife treat each other?

      Jehovah created men and women to fill complementary roles in marriage.  (Genesis 2:18)   As Family head, a husband should take the lead in providing materially for  his family and in teaching them about God. He should be self-sacrificing in his love for his wife. Husbands and wives are imperfect, learning to forgive is a key to happiness in marriage.  Read Ephesians 4:31, 32; 5:22-25, 33; 1 Peter 3:7. 

3. Should you abandon an unhappy marriage?

      If you experience difficulties in your marriage, both of you should work at treating each other with love.  (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5) God's Word does not recommend separation as a way to resolve problems that are common in marriage.  Read 1 Corinthians  7:10-13.  

Note: Separation from each other will not fix the problem; giving up does not fix the problem.  Marriage is a 50/50 relationship. You have to talk it out calmly.  The tiniest thing is no excuse for a divorce or a separation, that is the same as running from your problems.  People do not take their vows seriously anymore, they just think marriage is something on paper. It is also a vow to God as well as to your spouse.   If they are physically and mentally  abusive, then divorce may be the best thing, but then you cannot expect to get remarried again.  That would be adultery as well.   Each one of you has to give 100 % of yourselves for any relationship or marriage to work.  Also,  you do not have permission to go hopping from bed to bed if you are not married. That is wrong as well, in God's eyes. Do not be listening to what society tells you, they do not know what God wants. They go by what they think is cool, not the way things or life etc. should be. 

4. Children, what does God want for you?

      Jehovah wants you to be happy. He gives you the best advice on how to enjoy your youth. He wants you to benefit from the wisdom and experience of your parents.  (Colossians 3:20) Jehovah also wants you to experience the joy of doing things for your Creator and his Son.  Read Ecclesiastes 11:9-13:1; Matthew 19:13-15; 21:15, 16. 

5. Parents, how can your children find happiness? 

     You should work hard to provide food, housing, and clothing for your children.  (1 Timothy 5:8) But for your children to find happiness, you also need to teach them to love God and to learn from him. (Ephesians 6:4) Your example in showing love for God can deeply influence your child's heart. When based on God's Word, your instruction can mold your child's  thinking in a positive way.  Read Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Proverbs 22:6. 

       Children can benefit when you encourage and commend them.   They also need correction and discipline.  Such training protects them from conduct  that could rob them of happiness.  (Proverbs 22:15) Yet, discipline should never be harsh or cruel.  Read Colossians 3:21. 

Jehovah's Witnesses publish several books  that are especially written to help parents and children. These books are based on the Bible.  Read Psalm 19:7, 11. 

Note: After all, the Bible was not written for ignoring or sitting on a shelf to make you look good or respectable, it takes more than that. It was written for  our benefit to live by God's Instructions for life-a happy well adjusted life.  Give it a try.  I enjoy reading the Bible. There is a lot to learn there, and very interesting reading to boot.  It's sitting on the shelf isn't going to make you any smarter. You need to read it like you would  a regular book. The more you read the more you understand. Start out with just  a couple chapters every morning with coffee, or juice. It doesn't take that long and if you love God, its worth it, because you will benefit in the end, believe me, I have. 

Next time: How Can You Recognize True Worship? 

From the Awake! magazine, 2014