“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)‬‬‬

Growing up, I often longed for security, belonging and happiness. But the more I pursued these good things apart from God, the more they seemed to pull me away from my faith and consume me.

My intense need to belong overshadowed every thought and informed every decision. I compromised my values to feel accepted by friends and secure in my romantic relationships. I didn’t feel worthy of the God I pledged my life to. So over the years, my desires continued waging war within me (James 4:1).

I vividly recall the exhaustion from this internal struggle, particularly one morning as I sat alone in the small, nearly forgotten chapel on my college campus. I was tired of fighting to build my sense of security while trying to maintain a feeling of being right with God … but knowing deep down that something was amiss.

I decided to be truly honest with God about my search for security and belonging apart from Him. In my prayer and meditation on God’s Word, I felt His answer to me was simple: Relax. Just enjoy Me. If you simply enjoy Me, everything else will fall into place.

God is the Creator. He is good, lovely, admirable and praiseworthy — how can He not be a sure and steady source of joy? As I realized this, my craving for lesser things waned over time. Compared to God’s beautiful nature and His gifts of freedom, peace, love and restoration, my pursuit of happiness outside of Him started to feel trivial.

Of course, that doesn’t mean other things don’t make me happy. Late-night milkshakes with friends, marrying my best friend and having children have all made me extremely happy! And they have also brought me a sense of security and belonging. But when I compare those joys to the joy of knowing God, I can see them for what they truly are — fragments of happiness.

Imagine a box with holes in it placed over a bright light. Each ray shining through is just a fragment of the light inside, dull in comparison to the source. The joy of knowing God is like that bright light while our earthly happiness is like those smaller rays. Though they pale in comparison to God, they’re still valuable gifts, made even more meaningful when we recognize they come from God’s goodness.

We often fight so hard to find a sense of happiness, belonging or pleasure while also fighting to hold on to what we imagine our relationship with God should look like. But in searching for happiness, we often miss the deeper joy and security He offers us.

Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). His yoke is easy and His burden is light. In Him we find security … and to Him we belong.

Jesus, thank You for offering us a relationship with You that does not waver. Thank You for giving us lasting joy and peace through Your own goodness and faithfulness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Christian couples often start their marriages with a powerful desire to serve each other and glorify God with their relationship, but it’s easy to get a little — or a lot — sidetracked. Marriage is hard. Every couple comes to a place of disappointment and distance at one point or another.

The good news is that your relationship can get better.

With time-tested advice, practical tips and biblical truths, teacher, author, and creator of “Living the Sweet Wife” Chelsea Damon has helped thousands of couples who felt they were at the end of their rope — plus, she’s been there herself. In I Thought This Would Make Me Happy, she gives you the tools you need to fight less, communicate more and ultimately transform your marriage.

ENGAGE

For more from Chelsea Damon, follow her on Instagram, or check out her blog, Living the Sweet Wife, where moms and wives are encouraged in healthy, Christ-centered lives and relationships.

Enter to WIN your very own copy of I Thought This Would Make Me Happy by Chelsea Damon. To celebrate this book, Chelsea’s publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and then notify each one in the comments section by Monday, August 12, 2024.}

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Psalm 51:10-12, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (NIV).

Matthew 11:29-30, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (NIV).

What are some of the things you are pursuing to find happiness? What comes to mind when you think about shifting your focus from pursuing happiness to cultivating joy through your relationship with God?

© 2024 by Chelsea Damon. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.

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