Happiness is homemade. But is it really? Let’s dive into a happy home and how we should be striving for contentment in our living!
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I talk about this in my post Happiness is a Feeling, Joy is a Way of Living, which explores the difference between the human emotion of happiness and God’s gift of joy. And with that in mind, we have wonder about the statement “happiness is homemade,” because really, is it something we should be trying to make at home?
Contentment in the home in my opinion is a better thing to create. Like joy, contentment is what reminds us not to covet or be jealous of what other’s have. It creates happiness through joy because we look at the good things we have instead of the things we want.
Within our home, we want to create a space of comfort and contentment for ourselves and our families. It can be hard in today’s day and age when we see what others have as soon as we flip to our social media page or emails. Advertising surrounds us, telling us how to make our lives better.
Unfortunately, this only serves to grow discontentment with our lives, sometimes without us realizing it!
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Happiness is Homemade – Or Is It?
Happiness really is a feeling and striving to create a happy home may only work for a short period of time. Things may make us happy but the feeling doesn’t last. Joy is the deep rooted attitude that will ride the waves of emotions.
We don’t want to give our children the impression that we can create happiness within our homes on our own. It is God who should be filling our cups, the element of Christ in our lives is the not-so-secret ingredient we need to create a space of contentment.
But godliness with contentment is great gain,
for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.1 Timothy 6:6-8
How Do We Seek Contentment in the Home?
The question remains, how do we find contentment with what we have and encourage our children to do the same?
Seek God
In all things, whether it’s because you need a change of heart of a change of home, seek God. If you are starting to feel frustrated or unhappy with your home, don’t turn to worldly joy! Instead seek to create a home of contentment through the one who can provide complete joy…God!
Happiness is homemade when God is the one to do it!
Remove Unnecessary Items
The Bible says that the rich will have a hard time inheriting the kingdom of God; not because God doesn’t want them but because they will have many things to give up in order to follow Jesus (read Matthew 10:17-27).
I have been thinking about this in regards to our own lives and how “rich” we are with material items. We may not have fat bank accounts but our houses often are brimming with items. Sometimes a good purge is in order!
It can be hard to follow God’s word when we are distracted by so many things. It adds to brain clutter, makes it hard to find our Bibles and turns our attention to cleaning and organizing instead of spending time with God!
I’m not saying we should get rid of every luxury, but I know in my home there is clutter that isn’t necessary and getting rid of it would alleviate added discontent with my space!
Pray When Discontentment Sets in
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.
Jeremiah 29:12 (ESV)
If you feel discontentment in your space, take it to God in prayer. It may seem like a “me” problem, something that God doesn’t need to be bothered with it but believe me, He cares!
Bring it to Him, lay it at His feet and ask that He would give you joy instead of happiness. Even if you have to ask God to do this day after day, He will not grow tired of putting joy or contentment in your soul!
And if your home is starting to feel unlovable, read this.
Know Your Stumbling Blocks (So You Can Avoid Them)
It’s helpful to know the areas where you may feel discontentment so you can pray for those areas but also avoid falling into the trap of disliking them!
This may require some heart work from God, asking that the Holy Spirit would reveal to you your areas of weakness. But you might already know!
Perhaps you struggle with an unfinished kitchen or bathroom, wishing it could be updated or look as nice as a neighbours or Pinterest. Maybe you find yourself watching reel after reel of an influencer talking about the nice items they have in their home and where they got them. Maybe you have your heart set on an expensive piece of furniture that isn’t going to function for your home.
Sometimes discontentment needs a heart change, and God is the best one to work on that. But sometimes it means removing the temptation that is making us unhappy. We need to stop looking at Pinterest or social media and instead read our Bibles.
Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.
Proverbs 15:16
Contentment Comes from God!
Happiness is homemade may be a statement or piece of art but true contentment comes from God. Seek Him in your life and in your home so He can fill you with joy everyday!
You house doesn’t have to exude laughter and enjoyment everyday. There can be tears, anger and disagreements. But when the foundation is laid on the strong foundation of Jesus, then there is no amount of shaking that can knock your house down.
Let your happiness come from God and the joy He provides.
Happiness is homemade only if God is the one making it!
For more check out my blog post “How to Love Your Home When It Feels Unlovable” or “Mary or Martha; What Attitude Do You Have?”
And for scripture to build your home with, read “Verses for Building Your Home.“
If you’re looking for some scripture wall art, check out THESE prints I have hanging in my living room.
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