BUILDING A HEALTHY HOME

“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” – Psalm 127:1a

Healthy lives are nurtured and sustained as we partner with God in BUILDING A HEALTHY HOME: “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Psa.127:1a). Divine Input is paramount if human effort will not be pointless, useless, in vain or to no purpose. This Psalm is often read at weddings, when young couples setting out on life’s journeys together, are about to be caught up in the marathon of building homes. Using the imagery of building a house, let's examine the vital aspects involved in building healthy homes.

The FOUNDATION is the most important aspect of a building; this applies to building the home. The Apostle Paul instructed: “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1Cor.3:11). Jesus – the Living Word – is the eternal and sure foundation for our lives, career, businesses, ministries, and homes (Jh.1:1-3, 14). Towards the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus focused on two house builders. One built his house on the sand and the rains came, and the floods descended and beat upon the house and it crumbled, because it was built upon sinking sand. The other man built his house on the solid rock. This house was also subjected to winds, water, and rains, but it stood unshaken upon the solid foundation. The Word of God is the firm foundation for building godly and healthy homes.

The WALLS come next. Here are four kinds of walls that can give structure to our homes:

COMMUNICATION: Lack of communication is one of the main causes of divorce. According to Genesis 3, the entry of sin into the home of the first family caused a breakdown in the communication and connectedness between man and wife, the couple, and the Lord. Adam stopped communicating and started blaming: “The woman You gave me...”! The woman also blamed the serpent. Our self-centeredness or sin-laden selfishness often warps our communication, turning it into pointing and blaming. Communication goes beyond words; it includes care, feelings, touch, and concerns. Sometimes, the loudest things we’ll ever say could be in either hurtful or sensitive silence!

TRUST: No relationship can last without trust. Business partnership, marriage, and a living, loving relationship with God are all built on trust. It is vital for the long-term existence of a home that trust stands. Husbands and wives need to find some way, day-by-day, to let their companion know they are trustworthy.

DELIGHT: enjoying a relationship that God designed to be filled with fun, cheerfulness and excitement – “A merry heart does good, like medicine” (Pro.17:22a). Marriage should be enjoyed, not endured: “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord” (Pro.18:22). Home should be a haven – next to heaven! God intended the marriage relationship and home experience to be joyful. He has something better in mind than painful endurance. He wants us to enjoy ourselves.

SENSITIVITY: Parents and children should be sensitive to one another’s needs and the changes that occur in their lives. The pressures of life change from day to day. Some seasons demand extreme closeness, and others, the need to give space. Our physical needs, energy, understanding, patience, and responsiveness, all ebb and flow in a manner in which couples and their children need to be aware, sensitive, and gracious toward one another.

The ROOF caps it all – LOVE: “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins” (1Pet.4:8). Paul affirms that “love never fails” (1Cor.13:8a). Fervent love for one another must overarch all of life's relationships, challenges, dreams, and difficulties. Everything else would fail, not true love! There may be dire limitations of patience, understanding, strength, wisdom, resources, money, or time; but we can keep on loving!

All the wealth in the world cannot be compared with the lifetime fulfilment of building and living together in a godly, healthy Home in which family members are calm, cheerful, and contented. God Himself is the Architect who envisioned the home. Trust Him alone and there’ll be no regrets!