As moms, we often hear, “I just want my kids to be happy,” or even, “I deserve happiness.” But is this what God promises or desires for us? Culture tells us happiness is the ultimate goal—choose what makes you happy, change your circumstances if you’re unhappy. Yet what does Scripture tell us?
What Happiness Really Means
Happiness in the Bible isn’t the fleeting, emotion-based feeling culture pushes—it’s often tied to contentment and satisfaction in God, even amid challenges. It is steadfast and can exist despite circumstances.
James 1:2-3 reminds us: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. This shows joy is not something we earn or deserve; it’s a gift of God’s grace.
The Lie of “I Deserve Happiness”
As Christians, we might feel that following God’s will—reading our Bible, serving, attending church—should automatically bring happiness. But this mindset can make us feel like something is wrong when we aren’t constantly joyful. I’ve been there!
The truth is, seeking happiness as a goal is a cultural lie. God calls us to seek holiness, not happiness. Joy is a byproduct of a life aligned with Him.
As we shared in the last podcast episode, life doesn’t promise laughter at every turn. Trials, grief, and hard seasons are part of our growth toward holiness. Even in sorrow, God can bring comfort and a deep, abiding happiness. As Melanie shared in the podcast episode from Matthew 5, the Beatitudes show that those who mourn and those who are meek can still be “happy” because God’s blessing rests on them.
Letting Go of Entitlement
Every mom experiences the temptation of thinking, “I deserve this happiness now.” Whether it’s scrolling social media, shopping, or binge-watching Netflix, we seek quick satisfaction. For me, it is the extra cookie. But contentment comes from surrendering these desires to God and recognizing that true joy comes from obedience, service, and a daily walk with Him.
Even in parenting, when it’s easier to choose comfort over service, God reminds us that joy often comes through giving, not receiving. Those times when I want to armchair parent instead of putting down my phone to deal with my child’s heart issue. By humbling ourselves and seeking His ways, we model for our children that happiness is not the goal—holiness is.
Walking in True Joy
Jesus modeled obedience, not comfort. Following Him means learning to find joy and satisfaction in God, no matter our circumstances. This kind of joy is not shallow; it is a deep, enduring happiness rooted in the One who never changes. That’s what I want!
God cares about our joy, but not at the expense of our faith. True joy grows as we walk with Him daily, trusting His ways over our immediate desires. It may feel like more effort, but the lasting, overflowing joy is worth every step.
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