Five Things I’ve Learned from the Amish…

… that Have Nothing to Do with being Amish and Have Everything to Do with being a Christian

by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Being Amish is not a lifestyle

Amish traditions are all about faith, deeply rooted in every aspect of their lives. It’s not squeezed into a Sunday morning service but infuses everything, like a teabag steeping in hot water. Their choices stem from one question: What is pleasing to God?

Amish proverb: “Letting go of earthly possessions enables us to take hold of heavenly treasures.”

The Lesson: Start your day by offering it to God, trusting that interruptions or things going wrong might actually be part of His plan.

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Cherish Your Family

Amish families spend a lot of time together, often working side by side. Children are considered gifts from God and are involved in all aspects of life, from barn raisings to church services. An Amish bishop once said, “We don’t prepare our children for the future; we prepare them for eternity.”

Amish proverb: “Tomorrow’s world will be shaped by what we teach our children today.”

The Lesson: Get everyone involved in daily life—cooking, cleaning, or setting the table. It may not be efficient, but the benefits last a lifetime. Plus, have fun while you’re doing it!

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Draw a Line in the Sand

The Amish value stewardship—of time, money, and material goods. They know convenience comes with a cost. Fast food means less nutrition. More stuff means more maintenance. They’re not afraid to say no.

Amish proverb: “Things that steal our time are usually the easiest to do.”

The Lesson: Technology isn’t all good. Think carefully before making purchases. Will it bring your family closer or add stress? Reframe time, money, and possessions as God’s resources to steward wisely.

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Watch Your Words

The Amish emphasize filtering speech carefully.

Amish proverb: “Words break no bones, but they can break hearts” and “Mincing your words makes it easier if you have to eat them later.”

The Lesson: Say less. Pray more.

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Nothing Replaces Face-to-Face Visits

When telephones first emerged, Amish bishops decided to keep them out of homes, not wanting to disrupt family life. But they drop everything for a face-to-face visit.

Amish proverb: “Use friendship as a drawing account, but don’t forget to make a deposit.”

The Lesson: Invest in relationships with face-to-face time. No technology can replace the real thing.

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The Power of Everyday Forgiveness

The Amish live out the Lord’s Prayer—they ask God to forgive their sins, so they must forgive others who sin against them. Forgiveness is a daily choice, an intention they set with each new day.

Amish proverb: “It is far better to forgive and forget than to resent and remember.”

The Lesson: Make forgiveness your default, a habit, and an everyday intention.

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God Has a Plan

To the Amish, everything—joys and sorrows alike—passes through the hands of God. He is sovereign over all: the weather, illness, births, and even who’s in the White House. They trust in His perfect will, even when they don’t understand it, and thank Him when they do.

Amish proverb: “God’s hand that holds the ocean’s depth can hold my small affairs. His hand, which guides the universe, can carry all my cares.”

The Lesson: Trusting God isn’t passive—it takes a lot of work! But what peace and joy are available to us when we put our faith in the Almighty God. Everything, ultimately, works out for good.

 

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a Christy finalist, a Carol and Selah winner, a two-time ECPA Book of the Year finalist, and Publishers Weekly and ECPA bestselling author of more than forty books. Her newest book, A Healing Touch, is about a doctor to the Amish—the kind we all want wish we had—one still makes housecalls. Visit Suzanne at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com