I remember my heart’s plea…
“I’m so exhausted and overwhelmed by my to-do list.”
“I really want to do something that’s just for me.”
“But I want to serve my family with a joyful heart too.”
Those were the echoes of my soul at one time.
I am not natural at joyful homemaking.
Cooking is an experiment. Paper clutter can become seasonal home decor.
Chronic pain hinders chores. Sleep problems zap my energy.
Biblical Wisdom About Joyful Homemaking
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23a, 24b NIV
I used to think it was impossible to abide by Colossians in that “whatever you do” should be done “with all your heart.”
My homemaking heart was divided between trying to hold onto my joy and trying to hold back my searching for deeper purpose.
My homemaking heart was divided between trying to hold onto my joy and trying to hold back my searching for deeper purpose.The original Greek words for “work” in the Blue Letter Bible in the following verses reveal Biblical wisdom about our work as homemakers:
1. diakoneō – “to minister (supply food and the necessities of life)”
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” Luke 10:40 NIV
Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Matthew 27:55 NIV
Martha’s work in the home and the work the women did to care for His needs both served the purpose to minister to Jesus.
Our work as homemakers has the same honorable purpose as the work that ministered to Jesus’s needs—to serve Him.
2. poieō – “to do a thing unto one (to his advantage or disadvantage)”
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40 NIV
The work done unto others, to their advantage, was also done unto the King.
Our work as homemakers to care for our family’s needs is done unto Jesus, serving Him as our King.
What Colossians calls us to is not about simply making a human choice to try harder to work with all our heart. It flows from spiritual transformation through God’s power to work “as working for the Lord.”
We may feel mixed emotions about homemaking because we find discomfort or little satisfaction in the daily tasks.
Or the attitudes of family members may hinder serving with a joyful heart if we don’t feel appreciated.
And we may struggle to draw joy from within ourselves. But the source of our joy is not from within us—but from abiding with God.
Biblical wisdom reveals that joyful homemaking is not dependent upon our circumstances or our feelings.
Biblical wisdom reveals that joyful homemaking is not dependent upon our circumstances or our feelings.God’s word says that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” in Galatians 5:22 HCSB.
God’s Spirit fills us with His love from which we can draw His joy into our hearts.
If we unwaveringly look to Him, working unto Him, as we minister to our family to supply the necessities of life, joy will flow through us from God.
Four Steps of Wisdom for Joyful Homemaking
As you fellowship with God in spirit, joy flows to your heart on the inside. And as you apply Biblical wisdom and practical actions in your life, you nurture that joy to flow on the outside.
As you grow in God’s love, it transforms your soul. As you grow in His wisdom, it changes your life. Your joy will grow from the inside out—flowing from God to you and through you.
Below are four steps with Biblical wisdom, practical actions and personal reflections to help joy FLOW from your heart to your homemaking.
Here are four steps with Biblical wisdom, practical actions and personal reflections to help joy FLOW from your heart to your homemaking.F – Fill Yourself in God’s Presence
“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.” John 15:5 HCSB
Intentionally pause in God’s presence throughout your day to fill your heart, mind and spirit.
You will renew your strength, embrace God’s perspective, embody the heart and mind of Christ, and sense the Spirit’s leading more each day.
- What do you most need to ask God to transform within or around you that hinders your joy?
- What negative thoughts or emotions about yourself, your family or homemaking can you bring before the Lord to fill your mind with His truth?
L – Line Up with God’s Design
“For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:13-14 HCSB
Personalize your plans to fit how God uniquely designed you to reduce stress and create balance.
God hand-picked every one of your strengths, knows your limits, and has compassion for your needs.
- How can you leverage your personality, strengths and preferences to better manage your tasks, energy, schedule or family interactions?
- How can you weave engaging your gifts and passions into your day to balance what is required with what is inspired?
O – Overflow with God’s Love
“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 HCSB
Express and expand your love for God.
Embrace God’s unwavering love for you.
Envision your family through God’s love.
God’s love stirring inside of you will graciously overflow from your heart to your home.
- How can the tasks you least desire doing grow godly character, show God’s love, and fulfill His purposes in your home?
- What strategies can help you refill and reflect God’s love throughout your day?
W – Work Within God’s Wisdom
“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously without criticizing, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 HCSB
Seek God’s wisdom in all you do to spend your time and energy for His purposes.
God knows how best to make all parts of your life work together to fulfill His plans for you and your family each day.
- What activities can be priorities to support what God is trying to build within you and your family?
- How can you structure your day to take care of both your family’s needs and yours?
Hope for Joyful Homemaking in Your Heart and Home
Your work as a homemaker is an act of worship before God and an act of love toward your family.
With God’s wisdom in mind and His love in your heart, you can overflow with the hope of joyful homemaking both in your heart and home.
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 HCSB
-Arris Charles
Arris Charles is a Life Purpose Coach who helps Christian women who are feeling unfulfilled in their role at home or work to discover their God-given purpose so they can live with more clarity, passion and fulfillment every day. Her Live Inspired by Purpose blog blends Biblical insights with practical actions to help women fulfill God’s purposes in all areas of life. You can connect with Arris on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
