The father is to be the head of the home and the mother is to be the heart of the home. One is not more important than the other, but God created man and woman for different roles. God appointed the man to lead sacrificially in the love of Christ. (See Ephesians 5:23-25.)
Once roles are understood, both must diligently pursue Christlikeness in their relationship with Jesus so that they can work together in harmony to create a loving and safe environment for the home. Each needs to listen more and talk less to control the emotional temperature in the home. (See James 1:19-20, Ephesians 4:26-27.) You cannot have two human beings living in the same house without conflict at some point. Resolving conflicts in a way that honors the Lord and your mate is essential to developing a strong family.
Learning to compromise over issues that do not contradict the truth and morality of Scripture is important when it comes to navigating family dynamics, especially when children are involved. Both parents should take responsibility for training their children. (See Proverbs 22:6.) Spend time talking to each other about what the Bible says about life situations. Do it purposefully and throughout the normal events of family life such as around the dinner table in casual conversation, not just when a child needs discipline. In a strong family, the Bible is the final authority. And parents, be real about the fact that you fail, too. Do not glorify the failures, but do not pretend they don’t exist either. You will gain respect from your children. When you fail, ask your children and your spouse to forgive you. This will create a stronger bond and fellowship with one another. A strong family loves, forgives, and shows patience and compassion, just like Jesus does for us.
