Holy Over Happy

She shouldn’t have more ice cream, but it makes her happy.

They shouldn’t play so many video games, but it’s easier not to fight it.

She shouldn’t be hanging with that crowd, but at least she isn’t lonely.

He probably can’t be self-disciplined with the phone, but he wants it badly.

It’s hard to always toe the line as parents. Making rules and following through to enforce them is difficult. Sometimes we can be more lenient on some things if the behavior isn’t sinful. We can give grace and allow our kids to make their own decisions. Still, we cannot consistently cave into what is easy or clearly wrong just because it makes them happy.

Putting our children’s happiness on the throne of their lives spirals quickly into sin, which ends in destruction. Valuing their happiness over teaching them what God’s Word says is right and wrong leads to them being deceived by the enemy of their souls.

We all want our children to be happy. But it is simply not loving to always let them do whatever makes them happy if it’s wrong or unwholesome.

Behave like obedient children. Don't let your desires control your lives, as they used to be. Always live as God's holy people should, because God is the one who chose you, and he is holy. That's why the Scriptures say, “I am the holy God, and you must be holy too.”

1 Peter 1:14-16 (CEV)

Being holy is living a life dedicated to pleasing God. It requires work. It takes discipline. It often means waiting for the reward instead of opting for instant gratification. It involves trusting God for true joy over momentary happiness. It takes energy and patience and perseverance.

And it takes faith. We must believe God when he says his ways will bring abundant life compared to what feels good at the moment. The earlier our children learn this, the better it will be for them.

So don’t despair. Don’t give up. God promises to give you strength and abundant grace when you and your children slip up. Keep up the good fight. The joy, in the end, is worth it, knowing we are pleasing God.

Believe God when he says real joy comes from being holy.

PRAY

My holy, holy God, I will trust you that your ways are perfect. Help me resist the temptation of temporal happiness when it is wrong. Please give our family all we need to be holy like you. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Question(s): Why do we sometimes say “no” to your requests? Does God sometimes say “no” when we ask him for things? Why?

Apply: Allow your kids to open up about some of your rules that may bother them. Listen patiently, and try not to react defensively. Use the time to reflect on why rules are important and how they are meant to protect. Reflect also on the life guidance God gives all of us through his Word and why it is important to obey him.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Leviticus 11:44-45

Romans 12:1-2