Misreading the Signs? How to Get Your Family Back on God’s Spiritual Map

Misreading whether you are doing well as a parent

Insight for Your Family: Misreading the Map of Life

As parents, we are used to maps, schedules, and plans to guide our families. But have you ever thought you were on track, only to realize you misread the situation? Recently, I had an experience that made me reflect on this.

After a big storm, I checked the power outage map to see if our home had electricity. The map was filled with colors: red, yellow, purple, green, and gray. Seeing green over our area, I celebrated, thinking, “We’ve got power!” But after a moment, I realized I had misread the map—green didn’t mean the power was on, it just meant we were close to getting it back. I had celebrated prematurely, thinking everything was fine, when in reality, it wasn’t.

It got me thinking: What if we’re misreading the map of our spiritual lives? What if we think we’re in a good place because of external appearances, but we’re missing something crucial in our walk with God? As parents, how do we ensure we’re spiritually leading our families in a way that truly honors Him?

The Danger of Misreading Approval in Family

As a parent, it’s easy to feel like you’re doing well spiritually if your kids seem happy, your home is running smoothly, or others praise your parenting. But Scripture reminds us that God’s standards aren’t based on how things appear on the outside. In Colossians 1:10, we’re told to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him.” This verse doesn’t say, “fully pleasing to your kids, your friends, or your community.” It calls us to a life that aligns with God’s will.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus reminds us to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Our ultimate aim should be to lead our families with hearts fully set on God’s kingdom. Like misreading that outage map, we can think we’re doing great spiritually when we’re really just following the world’s idea of success. Our call as parents is to guide our families toward God’s eternal values, not the fleeting approval of the world.

God’s Standard of Measurement

Thankfully, God has given us a clear map for life. In Mark 12:30-31, Jesus tells us, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This is the standard we should use as parents when we measure how we’re leading our children.

It’s not about how perfect our homes look, how well our kids perform, or how busy we are with church or community activities. It’s about whether we are cultivating a love for God and others in our homes. Are we teaching our children by example to love God with their whole hearts and love those around them?

What if God Did an Annual Review in Your Family

What if God gave us an annual performance review as parents? Would He see that we are walking “worthy of the Lord” in how we lead our children? Would He see that we are helping our family bear fruit, grow in knowledge of Him, and prioritize His kingdom above all else?

This type of reflection can be challenging, but it’s also a powerful invitation to growth. If you’ve been misreading the spiritual “map” of your life, it’s not too late to recalibrate. God is more concerned with the condition of your heart and your relationship with Him than the external markers of success.

Reflection Questions:

• Have I been misreading my spiritual status by focusing on external signs like approval from others or busy schedules?

• How can I better seek God’s kingdom in my family’s daily life?

• What changes can I make to ensure I’m leading my children to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength?

• What areas of my family life show a spiritual “power outage”?

The good news is that God offers us His power. Acts 1:8 tells us, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” If we feel like our homes are running on empty spiritually, we don’t have to fix things on our own. God gives us the Holy Spirit to empower us to lead our families in His strength.

Time to Review Your Family Map

As parents, let’s pause and take a close look at the “map” of our lives. Not the one the world gives us, but the one God provides through His Word. Let’s make sure we’re guiding our families in a way that reflects His eternal values and deepens our relationship with Him. It’s never too late to realign our lives with His purpose.

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