family Archives

Clinging to God Through the Pain of Depression

Many Christians who struggle with depression often feel isolated and ashamed. Admitting to feelings of despair within a community of faith often leads to judgmental attitudes or well-meaning Christians who suggest that depressed people “choose joy” or “pray more.”

But what are believers with depression to do when God doesn’t ease their suffering?

Author Sarah Robinson struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts from a young age. Even after becoming a Christian at age 15, her struggle continued.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family September 12, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Bad Feeling with a Good Meaning

Not every negative feeling is bad. In fact, a bad emotion can often point to something good. Like when you and your spouse can’t be together, but you miss one another’s company.

Consider the late President Reagan and his beloved wife, Nancy. Since their passing, their love for one another has become almost legendary. Even during the demanding eight years they spent in the White House their marriage remained a priority, and they openly expressed their admiration for each other.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family August 31, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Preparing Your Kids for the Teen Years

Have you had “The Talk” with your child? You know, the one about sex?

If not, why not? Maybe you feel nervous because you don’t know what to say.

I don’t blame you. The talk I had with one of my boys didn’t go quite as well as I’d hoped. I planned a weekend-long father/son getaway where I did my best to explain sex and sexuality in a way he’d understand.

Driving home, I asked him, “Any questions?”

“No.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting August 30, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

More Than Pretty Colors

In 1986, a crowd of over 100,000 people gathered in downtown Cleveland, Ohio for an event called Balloonfest ‘86. Organizers hoped to raise money for charity and to set a new world record by releasing 1.5 million balloons simultaneously.

But things went terribly wrong.

Balloon releases are typically harmless. Helium-filled balloons stay airborne until they fully deflate. Even in large numbers, they scatter to the wind and fall harmlessly back to Earth over a wide area.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family August 21, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Helping Your Loved One Find Freedom from Addiction

Victor Torres understands drug addiction. By the time he was a teenager, he was addicted to heroin as a gang member on the streets of New York City.

He’s not alone. Self-medication is common in our culture. Whether it’s compulsive shopping, gambling, an unhealthy desire for sweets, sex, or drugs and alcohol, the number of people who seek an artificial escape from reality is staggering.

Millions of people in the United States are diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder each year.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family August 18, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Father’s Influence in His Daughter’s Life

Dad, don’t let your teenage daughter fool you.

She needs you.

I know her attitude may not always reflect that, but it’s true. She’s caught in a whirlwind of uncertainty, hormones, and confusing messages that skew her sense of identity and self-worth. On top of that, her social world is topsy-turvy, and she’s growing, changing, and feeling awkward. With you. With everybody.

Along the way, you’ll be tempted to disengage from her and keep her at arm’s length.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting August 16, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Get to the End

To enjoy victory in life, remember: it doesn’t matter how long you’re in the lead … you have to finish well.

The last day of the 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships featured an unusual outcome in the women’s 400 meter relay. Duke University held the lead from the start. They were fast. Their baton handoffs were smooth and on point. They were picture perfect, even as the University of Miami nearly pulled in front on the final stretch.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family August 15, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Making Positive Choices for a Stronger Marriage

The decision to marry someone “for better or for worse” isn’t just a choice that you make once on your wedding day – it’s a choice you make every day, several times a day.

Researchers say that the average person makes about 35,000 decisions a day. Just one of those choices is the choice to love your spouse. When you’re in the day-to-day grind of building your career and parenting your children, intentionality is key in expressing love to your spouse.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family August 14, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Clearing Out Your Space and Schedule

I’m a well-organized person. I like things neat and tidy. Generally, that quality leads to positive results in my life. But it can also lead to dashed expectations and conflict. Clutter around the house can really bother me, if I let it.

So can clutter in my schedule. My leadership team here at Focus on the Family helps me manage my time well, but my life is full, and I always have more to do than I have time to do it.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting August 9, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Spite House

Most of us have been angry enough to say something spiteful. But a man named Charles Froling got so angry that he built an entire house to express his spite.

In 1908, Charles inherited a patch of land from a relative in Alameda, California. He planned to build a home there, but the city refused to grant him permission. Instead, they appropriated most of his land, so they could build a new city road. Charles appealed to his neighbor for help, but his neighbor was afraid that the city would take his property, too, so he chose not to get involved.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, marriage August 7, 2023 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura