Accountability is hard.

That is a fact. But it is also a fact that our wives and children need us to be accountable to that we stay strong and solid in the leadership of our families.

That is why integrity is so important.

The problem comes in the fact that we we are simply unable to do this completely on our own. We need help. We need to partner with someone to help us be accountable. This comes with some incredible benefits, even though it is difficult.

The Drawback To An Accountability Partner

Let’s cover the negative first. The simple truth is that this is difficult. Very difficult. As men, it can be very hard to open up and be completely transparent with one another. For some reason, we have this mistaken idea that we must do everything on our own. Nothing could be further from the truth. We need one another.

Accountability means that you show your weaknesses to another. The fear is that they may judge us harshly. They may change their attitude toward us, now that they know our dirty laundry. They may act superior, like they are so much better than us with our sins and failures.

And, as a result, sharing those areas of our lives that are weak is something that we are loath to do. We would rather struggle in private than have someone see us at our worst.

The Benefit To An Accountability Partner

But the benefit outweighs the negative. It truly does.

Having a friend that knows your weaknesses means that you have someone who can hold your feet to the fire in those areas. For example, if you struggle with pornography, having an accountability partner who knows means that they can call you, daily if needed, and check up on you, and to help you avoid the temptation.

Just knowing that someone is going to ask you about it can help you stand strong.

Having an accountability group is fine, but really each of us needs one person that has the permission to speak into specific areas of our lives. One person needs to know us better than any others, in order to help us grow into the men, husbands, and fathers that God created us to be.

Such a relationship requires complete honesty though. You cannot be transparent and expect to grow if you hold back your weaknesses and hide a part of who you are. Complete honesty and transparency are critical for this to work.

As is commitment. If you want someone to hold you accountable, you need to be willing to do the same in return. An accountability relationship is built upon complete love and trust.

And the result is that you and I grow to become the men that God has called us to be.

Our families are depending on to to be that man. Let’s use every tool in our arsenal to make sure we do the best we can.

Be deliberate, Dad!

Do you have a single accountability partner who holds your feet to the fire in your weakest areas? What can you do to build such a relationship today? You can leave your thoughts in the comments by clicking here.