It has been many years since I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. One of the most significant changes since then is the quality of the new life Christ has given me. While I still face life’s challenges, I am able to handle them with God’s help. He gives my life a richness that nothing else could ever provide. As I learn to live according to God’s Word and mature in my relationship with him, I grow ever closer to my parents and siblings, and my relationships with friends have been greatly enriched.

Ever conscious of my mission to be a witness to my family, I have also seen the promise of Acts 16:31 come true. God has brought members of my family to him in ways I could never have imagined. When my twin sister and I started going to church, our parents sent our elder sister to keep an eye on us. They had doubts about the kind of company we were keeping and feared that we could be led astray. Instead, this sister too was touched by what she witnessed and later became a Christian as well!

With God’s help, I began to understand why my parents were unhappy with my decision to follow Christ. My father was upset because he was worried for us and was concerned that this decision would disrupt harmony in the family and place our happiness and security at risk. I had to learn to see beyond my parents’ hurt and disappointment and recognize that they were motivated by love—they were simply doing what they felt was the best for us.

That knowledge spurred me to respond by showing them how much I appreciated their concern.

Indeed, I find that I am now able to love and honor my parents in a way I never experienced before. Having received God’s grace and mercy, I realized I had to be gracious and loving to others. After understanding my parents’ concern for me, I asked God for love and patience to help me honor them. He has helped me in my daily interactions with them, giving me the wisdom to be His witness. Years later, when I joined a Christian organization full-time, my parents didn’t object, and today I continue to enjoy a close, loving relationship with them.

Meanwhile, I continue to hope, pray, and trust in the Lord that one day, they too will come to know and worship Christ, who alone is Lord and Savior of the world.

What to do when your family objects Are you going through something similar? Do you face objections to your faith from your family, and do you struggle to hold on to Christ? Let me leave you with some encouraging advice from my own experience.

Hold on to the truth Acts 4:12 states God’s truth simply and powerfully: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” When we decide to follow Jesus, we are not simply choosing to pledge our loyalty to a god of our choice—we are turning to the one true God, who is Jesus. He reconciles us with the Father, making possible our eternal fellowship with him. In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Be your family’s guide Luke 6:39 says, “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?” This reminds us that we need to find the right path in life. Having discovered the only way to God, we can lead our loved ones to him through Jesus. But this will take time and patience. If you are the first in your family to turn to Christ, then take heart: the gospel has taken a foothold in your family through you. Let God work in your loved ones’ hearts and show them his love through your daily interaction with them.

Honor your parents Ephesians 6:1 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Scripture makes it clear that we are to honor our parents, no matter what they believe and say about our faith. This not only means being obedient, but also being sensitive towards their feelings, valuing what is important to them, and respecting them as people of significance in your life. While God takes first place in your life, assure your parents that they are still important to you, and show them you will perform your duties by providing for and caring for them. This is one of the most effective ways of showing God’s love.

Seek spiritual support You are not called to walk this journey alone. Keep meeting with fellow Christians who can support you spiritually and emotionally. They can pray with you, encourage and comfort you in difficult times, and be available when you need advice or a listening ear. The Bible gives many examples of great men—from King David to the apostle Paul—who were not afraid to turn to fellow believers for comfort. And, of course, keep in close fellowship with God, talking to him constantly and drawing strength and wisdom from his Word.