Counsel #1 — The Home A Symbol Of Heaven

Picture: Counsel #1 — The Home a Symbol of HeavenCR 80.1

God established marriage between a woman and a man in Eden and intended that the family be a beautiful symbol of the heavenly family, where angels delight in each other and their Creator and where God reigns with love. If both you and your spouse are dedicated to this picture of family, you will make every effort to cultivate and express empathy, kindness, and love to each other and to the rest of your family. CR 80.2

Because of high divorce rates and pervasive marriage dysfunction, many people have not seen good models of happy, thriving homes. Whether or not you’ve had the example of growing up in a loving home, you can still choose, with God’s help, to create an atmosphere of love and respect in the home you establish with your spouse.^{[76]https://www.adventist.org/marriage-and-the-family/family/}CR 80.3

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24 NKJVCR 80.4

“Though difficulties, perplexities, and discouragements may arise, let neither husband nor wife harbor the thought that their union is a mistake or a disappointment. Determine to be all that it is possible to be to each other. Continue the early attentions. In every way encourage each other in fighting the battles of life.” Ellen White in The Ministry of Healing, p. 360CR 80.5

Reflect: What is there about the home you grew up in that you would like to emulate? What do you want to be different?CR 80.6