Topic: How to be Happy in Your Home (3)
Dear Reader,
I thank God for the privilege I have to share His Word with you again this week. I shared with you in my previous teaching how you can be happy in your home through hospitality. This week, I want to share with you what I titled Spices for a Happy Home.
God designed every home to be a happy place. When it is not so, it is evident that something vital is missing. Most people dream of a perfect and happy home where joy, peace, prosperity and fruitfulness abound; but they are not ready to pay the price. So, their dreams seem far-fetched. I want you to know that having a happy home is possible, but it does not happen by chance; it is by choice. The Word of God says…Every house is built by some man; but he that built all things is God (Hebrews 3:4). In the natural, you cannot own a house by merely wishing it; in the same vein, you cannot have a peaceful and exciting home except you play your part.
At this point, let’s examine some of the spices for a happy home:
Joy and Excitement
Joy and excitement are the spices of life. Unfortunately, they are the major things lacking in most homes today. Some couples even find it difficult to smile at one another. But the Word of God says: Rejoice, and again I say rejoice (Philippians 4:4).The home is not meant to be dull as a result of cold wars between husband and wife or lack of love between family members. Rather, it is meant to be a place of excitement. God created the family in such a way that the joy or pain of each member affects the others (2 Corinthians 2:2). You have a responsibility to create excitement in your home so that God can reside with you.
Praise
Another way of building a happy home is by locating the good qualities in your spouse and children; then praise them for it. Don’t focus on their weaknesses and mistakes. I remember the story of a woman who a counsellor drew a circle for and said, “Put a dot in the circle for every mistake your spouse has committed.” The woman started putting dots in the circle for as many offences as she could remember. “He insulted me; he didn’t give me money and so on.” At the end, the counsellor discovered that there was much undotted space left. He then said, “Madam, the undotted space in the circle is larger. That means the man is not as bad as you want me to believe.”
So, no matter what might have happened in the past, there will still be some good qualities in your spouse. Focus on those positive points and the bad ones will fade away. Appreciate God for your family members and be determined to be happy with them. Cast away bitterness from your home and let every unpleasant situation in the past be forgiven and forgotten for good. Also, as a family, create time to praise God together. This will fill your home with God’s presence because wherever God is, there is fullness of joy, and pleasures forever more (Psalm 16:11).
Appreciation
Whatever you don’t appreciate will soon depreciate. A simple “Thank you”, can do a lot to strengthen the relationship between you and your spouse and other family members. Learn to appreciate others for their good deeds around the home and for kind gestures shown towards you. Also be thankful to the Lord for your family, no matter the situation. The Word of God says: Out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry; and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few… (Jeremiah 30:19). I want you to know that thanksgiving always has a multiplying effect on whatever you are giving God thanks for. If you thank Him for the peace and joy you have presently in your family, He will multiply it. With thanksgiving, you can turn your home into a place of joy and endless laughter!
Christ is the only way to joy and excitement. If you want to be happy in your home you need to give your life to Christ. Giving your life to Christ entails confessing your sins, forsaking them and accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour. If you are ready for this experience, please say this prayer of faith with me: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”
Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are born again and you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).
With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored)
