Looking for joy that lasts?

Have you noticed how often we run decisions through the question, “Does this make me happy?”
It feels harmless—wise, even. Of course we want joy. Of course we want peace. Of course we want our lives to feel light instead of heavy. Culture encourages it. The world uses it as the standard: If it makes you happy, pursue it.

But over time, we learn that happiness alone is a fragile guide. It’s loud in the moment, convincing in its urgency, and often short-lived. What satisfies us quickly can just as quickly leave us restless—wondering why the joy didn’t last, why we still feel unsettled, why we’re always craving more.
The hamster wheel. How do we get off of it?

I’m sure the enemy would love nothing more than for us to live so rushed and busy that we never stop to recognize the root of our restlessness—running hard, striving hard, but in the wrong direction.

Scripture never condemns joy—but it roots joy somewhere deeper than preference or comfort. Chasing what feels good often leads us anywhere but good. We have to realign our minds, hearts, souls, + bodies with what is good. With what is true. With what honors God.

Obedience isn’t about restriction; it’s about restoration. It’s God gently leading us away from what exhausts us and toward what actually gives us life. It’s dependence. Abiding. Letting go and entrusting it back to Him. And yes—often that means choosing the harder thing, the quieter thing, the less immediately rewarding thing. Trusting that God sees further than we do + loves us too much to let fleeting feelings shape our lives.

Survey the last five years—has restlessness ever been cured by acquisition, affirmation, or accolades? Not once.

When we begin asking, “Does this honor God?” something shifts. Decisions slow down. Motives grow clearer. Our souls feel steadier—not because obedience is easy, but because it anchors us to something unchanging.

There is a joy that comes from pleasing ourselves, and it can be sweet for a moment. But there is a deeper joy—one that settles, steadies, and revives—that comes from walking with God in trust. That joy doesn’t rush through and leave. It stays. It strengthens. It brings us back to life.