Is Your Work Stealing from Your Marriage and Family? One Question That Changes Everything

In the whirlwind of daily life, it’s easy for work and business to quietly consume the time and energy that should be reserved for the people who matter most. Before we know it, our marriage and family are getting whatever’s left over instead of our best. The question isn’t whether we love our spouse and children; of course we do. The real question is: are our daily actions reflecting that priority?

The Importance of Self-Care in Family Life

One truth that often gets overlooked in conversations about family priorities is this: you cannot pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, it’s essential. When you’re running on fumes, struggling with exhaustion, or neglecting your own well-being, you have nothing of value to offer your family.

Even Jesus modeled the importance of rest and renewal. Scripture tells us that He often withdrew to solitary places to pray and recharge (Luke 5:16). If the Son of God recognized the need to step away and refuel, how much more do we need that same intentionality?

Making sure you’re taking time to care for yourself means you can show up as the best version of yourself for your spouse and children. This isn’t about indulgence or escaping responsibility. It’s about recognizing that your physical, emotional, and spiritual health directly impacts every relationship in your home. Self-care isn’t separate from loving your family well; it’s foundational to it.

A Question That Demands Reflection

Here’s the question we want to leave with you today: What is one practical change that you can make today to better prioritize your marriage and family over your business or work?

This isn’t a theoretical exercise. This is about identifying one specific, actionable step you can take right now, not next week, not when things slow down, not when circumstances are more favorable, but today.

Think of this question as a barometer check for your life. Where are you investing your time, energy, and attention? Are you being intentional about putting your marriage and family first, or are you allowing work to dictate your priorities by default?

Why Your Answer Matters

When you take the time to answer this question, whether in a journal or in conversation with your spouse, you’re doing two important things:

First, you’re confirming your own commitment to change. There’s power in articulating what you need to do differently. Speaking it out loud or writing it down transforms a vague intention into a concrete plan.

Second, your answer provides practical wisdom for others walking the same journey. When we share our struggles and solutions openly, we create a community of support and accountability. Your one practical change might be exactly what your spouse needs to hear today.

Making the Change Today

The beauty of this question is its simplicity. We’re not asking you to overhaul your entire life or solve every problem at once. We’re asking for one practical change. One thing you can do today.

Maybe it’s:

Turning off work notifications during dinner

Leaving the office at a specific time to be home for bedtime

Scheduling a regular date night and protecting it like you would an important business meeting

Putting your phone away during family time

Having a real conversation with your spouse instead of scrolling through emails

Setting boundaries around weekend work

Saying no to an opportunity that would compromise family time

Whatever it is for you, make it specific, make it actionable, and make it happen today.

Your Family Is Watching

Your children are watching how you prioritize your time. Your spouse is noticing where you invest your energy. The patterns you establish today become the legacy you leave tomorrow.

Proverbs 22:6 reminds us to “train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” But here’s what we often miss: our children learn more from what we do than what we say. When we consistently choose work over family, we’re teaching them that career success matters more than relationships. When we model healthy boundaries and prioritize our marriage, we’re showing them what God-honoring priorities look like in action.

Years from now, will your family remember you as someone physically present but mentally absent? Or will they remember you as someone who chose them, again and again, even when work was demanding and opportunities were calling?

The answer to that question is being written in the choices you make today.

Final Thoughts

Prioritizing your marriage and family over work isn’t about achieving perfect balance, it’s about making intentional choices that reflect your true values. It’s about recognizing that success in your career means nothing if it comes at the expense of success in your home.

Matthew 16:26 asks the piercing question: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” We could extend that question to our families: What profit is there in climbing the corporate ladder, building a successful business, or achieving every professional goal if we lose our marriage and our children in the process?

God’s Word is clear about where our priorities should lie. Ephesians 5:25 instructs husbands to “love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” That kind of sacrificial love requires time, attention, and intentionality. Psalm 127:3 reminds us that “children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” Our families aren’t obligations to manage around our work; they’re gifts to steward and treasure.

So, we’ll ask one more time: What is one practical change you can make today to better prioritize your marriage and family over your business or work?

Your family is worth it. Your marriage is worth it. And the intentional choice to put them first, starting today, is absolutely worth it.