Living as the lone wolf never works. God created you for relationship. When you isolate, you miss the whole point. The godly dad looks for friends to survive the journey. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Scripture says when we separate from other believers, we can be attacked and deceived. Live long enough and you’ll struggle. Happy Monday, right! But worse than struggling is not having any support when struggles happen. Most guys aren’t too busy or too introverted—you’re prideful. Shallow friendships may simply be signaling that you’re selfish. The old idea goes like this: You can spend all day looking for a friend and not find one; but if you spend a moment being friendly, friends seem to be everywhere. In Survival Gear, there are four (4) relationship killers you gotta crush so you can make/keep friends. #1 PRIDE: Self-focus is so subtle you won’t even notice it until it’s too late. #2 SATAN: He wants you isolated so he can pounce when no one’s around. #3 CULTURE: You’re told real men keep silent–if you talk, you’re the odd man out. #4 COMPETITION: You compete all the time and it’s exhausting—to you and those around you. Which relationship killer do you need to crush?

MAKING FAMILY A PRIORITY: SIMPLE STEPS FOR BUSY DADS. It would be so awesome if we could simply push a button or download an app that would make sure we had the right priorities and lived them out as guys. Unfortunately for us, it doesn’t work that way. It takes intentional effort, especially when it comes to keeping your family near the top of your priority list. If you’re wrestling with distractions that are trying to force your wife and kids down that list, we’ve got some ideas for standing your ground.

WHY BEING AN ISOLATED DAD ISN’T GOOD: The stereotypical man is the lone wolf. He’s the rugged individualist, the guy who pulls himself up by his own bootstraps. He doesn’t need anyone’s help for anything. But that stereotype falls short of what most men see in the mirror each day. The truth is, God created us for relationships, and we’re missing something important if we’re trying to do life on our own. He made us to need one another. Wise men make life a team sport! They make mentors and mentoring a vital part of their survival toolbox.