by Naomi Chua
According to a recent Harvard Business Review article, more money doesn’t really make us more happy. In that research, participants who prioritized money over time ended up less happy. While this doesn’t mean that we should turn down the next pay raise from our bosses, it certainly tells us that making lots of money will not inevitably boost our level of happiness. The author mentioned it’s how you spend, save and think about money that shapes how much joy you get from it.
Above and beyond this insightful article, the Bible reveals very rich truths about the true source of happiness. Let’s take a look at Jeremiah 17: 7 – 8 (CEB) “Happy are those who trust in the Lord, who rely on the Lord. They will be like trees planted by the streams, whose roots reach down to the water. They won’t fear drought when it comes; their leaves will remain green. They won’t be stressed in the time of drought or fail to bear fruit.”
Praise the Lord! Happy and Blessed are those who trust God, and who rely and depend on God! These 2 verses are important reminders for me as a new parent. Since the addition of a baby into our family, my husband and I saw how our family expenses increased significantly. This is especially so during the pregnancy, delivery and the initial ‘setup’ of the house and basic ‘equipment’ to welcome our baby home. And I soon learn from my personal initial experience as well as other parents, these are just the beginning of the long journey of parenting. During the initial months of adjustment and transition, such thoughts could quickly make me feel very overwhelmed. Worries, fears and anxiety would set in. There were also moments when I felt paralyzed by the fear of the next steps ahead.
I thank God for the wise counsel from the people whom God placed in my life such as my Sis-in-law and also Pastor Sng. They reminded me to trust in the Lord, to rely on Him and to keep my eyes focused on Jesus. In addition, they guided me with practical steps as I adjusted to my new role as a mother and more importantly, reminded me of my identity as a daughter of God.
As a daughter of God, I can trust in God that He is more than enough for me. I can rely on Him for the strength I need to love and care for my family, including my baby. As a child of God, I can trust Him for Who He is and what He has done and will be doing in and through my life.
This shift in my focus to trust in God, to rely on God and hope in Him changed me! Looking back from where I am now to where I was a few months ago, I see and feel a change. As I trust in God and continuously rely on Him, I become a happier mother, a happier wife and more importantly a happier person in Christ!
What about you? Do you feel like you’ve been living in a rat race chasing and trying to earn more money thinking it will definitely make you happier? Or maybe there are areas of your life that make you feel vexed, worried, anxious or even fearful. I pray that you’ll continue to mull over and meditate on this verse from Jeremiah 17: 7. And may you find the true source of daily happiness in God alone!
Join us for our weekly Sunday service to learn more on this liberating topic to LIVE HAPPY! God bless you!