How Phil Wickham Balances Faith, Family, and Career
A Guide to Intentional Living
In a recent conversation with Family Life Radio, Phil Wickham shared some of his reflections on being a husband, father, and musician. His insight offers valuable lessons on living intentionally and staying grounded in our faith.
Phil’s first priority is clear: being a good husband and father. “I want to be a good dad. I’m a good husband. By that I mean as much as I can. It’s just intentional thoughtfulness with my wife. Put her first; try to preempt the things that she would want to ask.”
Take a moment to consider how you can prioritize your relationships. What thoughtful acts can you do today to show your spouse that they are your priority? Maybe it’s as simple as taking out the trash before being asked, as Phil suggests. Small acts of kindness can make a significant difference in your relationship.
Phil shared a practical example of being considerate: “I know she’s going to look at the trash even though it’s not fully full. She’s going to look at the trash and think, ‘Be great if someone took this out’, you know. So, I want to just take it out now.”
Small, intentional acts can communicate love and care.
What small actions can you take to show thoughtfulness and consideration? Perhaps it’s making a cup of coffee for your spouse in the morning or tidying up without being asked. These gestures, though minor, can significantly enhance the harmony in your home.
Being Present with Your Children
Phil’s commitment to his children is evident when he says it’s important for them to look up “and see me looking back at them and not be on my phone.”
It’s important to be fully present with our kids. It’s easy to get distracted by our phones, but our children need our attention and presence. Consider setting aside specific times each day to be fully engaged with your children. Play a game, read a book, or simply talk with them without any distractions. Your presence is a precious gift that will leave a lasting impact.
Phil expresses a desire for his kids to remember him as a praying father: “My dad, he did pray a lot. … We did talk about the Scriptures.”
Integrating faith into everyday life, making prayer and Scripture a regular part of family routines is vital to living an intentional life.
Think about how you can incorporate faith into your daily life. Can you start a family prayer time or read a Bible story together each night? These practices can help anchor your family in God’s Word and create a spiritually rich environment at home.
Phil shares his approach to his career with a sense of surrender and trust in God: “I hold it with an open hand, I hope, and that if I ever lose my voice again for good or … if something else happens, then I want to stay in a place, not trying to hold on to anything, just to say, ‘God, what do you have for me today?’ And, and if it’s something different than I expected, then I’m excited because He’s in it.”
An attitude of open-handedness is a powerful reminder to trust God with our future, knowing that His plans are always good.
Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (NIV).
Surrender your plans to God and trust that He will guide you, even if the path looks different than you expected.
Using Your Platform for God’s Glory
Phil’s commitment to using his music for God’s glory is inspiring: “Just to use music to point people to Jesus and I’m just going to continue doing that.”
Whether you have a large platform or a small one, consider how you can use your influence to glorify God. Maybe it’s sharing your faith at work, volunteering at church, or simply being a light in your community.
Reflect on the unique gifts and opportunities God has given you. How can you use them to make a positive impact and point others to Christ?
Phil expresses immense gratitude for his life and career: “I can’t believe I get to do it. but at the same time, I hold it with an open hand.”
Gratitude helps us to appreciate the present and recognize God’s blessings in our lives.
Make it a daily habit to count your blessings and thank God for them. Keep a gratitude journal or share your thankfulness with your family during meals. This practice can shift your focus from what you lack to what you have, fostering a heart of contentment.
You don’t have to make huge changes overnight in your walk with God. Start with small steps and trust God to lead you. Living intentionally and faithfully for Christ will always transform your life and the lives of those you love.
Want more? Check out our on demand resources
Family Life Radio is listener supported. Those who listen give to make the music and content possible to shine God’s love, peace and encouragement into hearts, revealing truths that direct people in the way they should go.
If you feel led to give a gift today to help others draw strength, gain wisdom and experience peace through Family Life Radio click here.