“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
Have you heard Kari Jobe’s song, The Blessing? Such a powerful song inspired by Numbers 6:24-26. Just when you think the song can’t get any better, Kari sings this incredible declaration:
“May His favor be upon you, and a thousand generations.
In your family and your children, and their children, and their children.”
Doesn’t that sound amazing? More than anything, I want to pass on a blessing to future generations. And here’s the truth: That process starts during your single years.
Every family tree has its fair share of dysfunction, tragedy, brokenness, and unhealthy cycles. Maybe you’ve noticed certain patterns that repeat—things like addiction, abuse, infidelity, anxiety, depression, absent parents, insecurity, or shame. But here’s the good news: You don’t have to carry those patterns into your future. With the Holy Spirit’s help, you can turn generational baggage into generational blessings!
How Do You Start?
Know God
Your single years are the best time to build a strong foundation with God. Before marriage, before children, before major life responsibilities—this is your time to deepen your faith. Many of us were raised in families that didn’t prioritize a personal relationship with God, or we had parents who believed but didn’t fully walk in the freedom Christ offers. Now is the time to seek Him, learn His Word, and prepare to build a home centered on Him.
My husband and I are the first generation of Christians in both of our families. We had loving parents and relatives around us growing-up, but we were not raised learning what it means to live for the glory of God. We didn’t grow-up attending church or reading the Bible, let alone knowing how to develop a personal relationship with God to fulfill the purpose for which we were created. Another important detail we did not know was that we have an enemy who wants to “kill, steal, and destroy” everything God is trying to accomplish in our lives. We could not possibly fight a battle we didn’t know we were in. Once we knew that we were created for a purpose, that we had an enemy who did not want us to fulfill that purpose, and that God was on our side, the opportunity to make some positive changes, for ourselves and our future generations, began.
Know Your Family
Look at your family history. Beginning with your parents and going as far back as you can, try to find out the following information: What were your ancestors’ main struggles/failures? What kept them “stuck” in life? What patterns do you see in multiple relatives? Which ones did you inherit? A lot of people from previous generations, even those who were believers, were not equipped to deal with the curveballs of life in a healthy way. Hence there are a lot of topics or stories that can’t be talked about in some families. We tend to not talk about these things because they are the part of the family’s legacy everyone wants to forget. But sweeping things under the rug does not do us or our future generations any favors. If we want to break free from generational strongholds, we have to know what those are. Be willing to uncover the truth and bring it to God. You can’t break free from something you refuse to acknowledge.
Know Yourself
Many people go through life without ever truly knowing themselves. They repeat unhealthy cycles because they never stop to examine their thoughts, beliefs, and actions. In an act of self-defense, they deceive themselves into believing that they are doing just fine, even if it’s pretty obvious to those around them that they are not. That’s why it is important that we invite the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the areas in our lives we need to change. King David prayed:
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)
We would be wise to seek the truth about ourselves in the same way King David did. Once you identify a stronghold (wrong mindsets that lead to sinful behavior), you can find what the Bible has to say about it and speak God’s truth over yourself.
Your future marriage will have a stronger foundation if you do the work in your single years. This is the time to heal, to grow, and to lay a foundation that will bless not just you, but future generations. If needed, seek guidance from a spiritual leader, a mentor, or a professional counselor. It’s not always easy, but the process is worth it—because in Christ, we are promised victory!
I pray that when future generations look back, they will see this as the moment everything changed. May you leave a godly legacy that starts now, with your obedience, your healing, and your surrender to God.
FLAG THIS!
- Your single years are the best time to break generational strongholds.
- Knowing God deeply now will set the foundation for a strong future marriage.
- Examining your family history can reveal patterns that need to be broken.
- True healing comes from inviting God into your struggles and seeking His truth.
- The work you do today will bless your future spouse, children, and generations to come.
HEART CHECK: Reflect and Grow
- Do I truly believe that God can turn generational baggage into generational blessings?
- Have I taken the time to identify strongholds that need to be broken?
- Am I committed to knowing God personally and living for His glory?
- Am I actively pursuing healing and freedom, not just for myself but for future generations?
- Am I leaving a godly legacy that reflects God’s presence in my life?
- Have I invited the Holy Spirit to reveal areas in my life that need change?
