ORACLES: Lesson 31

I pray health in your home and in your heart, in Jesus’ name.

My mother always said, a person who cannot keep their environment clean shows that there is something wrong within the person, not the room. I’ll take it further by saying, “schools have bullies because homes have bullies.” Two different topics, yes, but the salient issue is the same, so that what seems hidden is really glaring. In other words, the seen problem originates from a hidden source, often overlooked.

A healthy home allows people to be themselves and make decisions based on the age of members within the household. For children, there is a difference between stewarding and controlling, correcting and abusing, helping and overpowering them, and when there are no polar opposites and imbalance makes normal unusual and abnormal a standard, there is a sickness in the home and heart just as there would be in the body whenever there is imbalance.

God has given children as a reward. Home should be a place of safety and nurturing. A place to shape character and groom lives to the glory of God. It doesn’t mean correction is discarded, but in a healthy environment, discipline shouldn’t be the staple of child-rearing. And if it is, the question must be asked of the parent: Are your children bearing the brunt of your frustration? Are your children living in a hellish environment because of your attitude and behavior?

If you need to impose your own will selfishly, use fear tactics, manipulation, intimidation and the sort to control and overshadow others around you, that’s a reflection of personal insecurity, mental abnormality and dysfunction and God is not pleased.

Dysfunction grows up, and until there is a true submission to Christ, it doesn’t just go away. A healthy home and heart comes from an intentional pursuit of mind transformation, and an application of the blood of Christ. You may be an adult who’s thinking is warped, so I encourage you to ask God to clean your conscience from dead works so you can serve and please God and perpetuate a healthy home and heart for the young lives in your care.