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This week, Aaron had the opportunity to sit down with Pastor Craig Thompson, author of Fighting for Your Family, and talk about fighting for our families rather than against them. Most families are fighting real battles without realizing what they’re up against or how they’re meant to fight. Whether it’s tension in marriage, exhaustion in parenting, or the weight of leadership and responsibility, many of us feel overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. Craig reminds us that these struggles are rarely just practical or emotional—they are often deeply spiritual, requiring wisdom, discernment, and a God-centered approach if we want our families to remain strong.
Craig shared that one of the most dangerous things we can do as parents is crowdsource our families. In other words, when things get hard at home, our instinct is often to ask everyone—social media, podcasts, comment sections—for advice. But Craig warned that this instinct can actually expose our families to more harm than help.
Craig explained that when we bring our struggles to the internet instead of godly community, we aren’t just inviting opinions—we’re inviting confusion, fear, and spiritual noise. Marriage and parenting were never meant to be navigated in isolation or by popular vote. God designed families to be strengthened through biblical wisdom and relational accountability, not crowdsourced consensus.
Why Isolation Weakens Families
As Craig shared his story, it became clear that many of the pressures families face today are spiritual in nature. Whether it’s conflict in marriage, exhaustion in parenting, or discouragement in leadership, the enemy wants us disconnected—alone, overwhelmed, and unsure of where to turn.
That’s why Craig emphasized that isolation is not neutral. When we pull away from the church or attempt to manage family life on our own, we are more vulnerable to spiritual attack. Scripture reminds us that “two are better than one”(Ecclesiastes 4:9), not just practically, but spiritually.
One of the strongest convictions Craig shared is that the local church is essential for fighting well for our families. He was clear: loving Jesus while rejecting His church is not a biblical option. The church is not a human invention—it is Christ’s design for His people.
Craig talked about how being planted in a healthy church provides families with:
- Spiritual covering and prayer
- Wisdom from godly leaders
- Relationships that walk with you through hardship
- Accountability that strengthens, not shames
Rather than asking strangers for advice, Craig urged families to invite trusted, godly people into their struggles—people who know them, love them, and will walk faithfully alongside them.
Ministry Begins at Home—but Doesn’t End There
As a pastor, husband, and father, Craig also spoke honestly about the tension between ministry and family life. He warned against sacrificing family on the altar of ministry—but he also cautioned against sacrificing ministry on the altar of comfort.
The goal isn’t perfect balance; it’s biblical order. Our families should see consistency between who we are at home and who we are in the church. When children see faith lived out authentically—through hospitality, sacrifice, and service—they don’t resent ministry; they understand it.
Fight for Your Family the Right Way
This conversation reminds us that fighting for our families doesn’t start with louder voices or better strategies. It starts with humility, community, and obedience. When we resist the temptation to crowdsource our struggles and instead lean into God’s design—His Word, His church, and His people—we place our families on stronger ground.
We don’t fight against our spouse or children. We fight for them—together, in community, and under the care of a faithful God.
