Counsels on Self-Identity

Counsel #20 — Affectionate

Picture: Counsel #20 — Affectionate CI 149.1

What does affection look like on a man? For a father, it could look like sitting on the floor with his toddler to play after a long workday. For a husband, maybe it’s reaching across the dinner table to hold his wife’s hand, not out of habit, but because she still matters deeply. For the college student, it’s checking in on a stressed roommate and saying, “Hey, I’m here for you.” CI 149.2

Too often, our culture teaches men that tenderness is weakness, and that affection is something to withhold until it’s “safe” or “earned.” Unlike what most men are taught, affection is part of healthy masculinity. It speaks comfort to the grieving, safety to the insecure, and worth to the overlooked. Whether you’Revelation 18 or 80, single or married, God calls you to give affection to everyone you encounter. We live in a world where too many men are either emotionally shut down or only affectionate when they want something in return. True masculinity flips that. It shows up in everyday kindness, like a hand on the shoulder that says, “You’re not alone.”^[164] CI 149.3

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV CI 149.4

“Fathers... combine affection with authority…’ Ellen White in Homeward Bound, p. 282 CI 149.5

Reflect: Who in your life needs to feel safe in your presence, and how can you show them affection in a way that honors God? CI 149.6