Day 14 of Our Fall Home Challenge: Finding Joy and Balance in Housework

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

1.    Find balance. Often when we are not enjoying our homes, it is because we need to reset our standards. On one hand, we can be paralyzed by perfectionism and never feel satisfied with our accomplishments, no matter how hard we work. It just never seems good enough, and we would simply perish if someone came to our door unannounced. On the other hand, if we are too lax with our standards, we will not be able to enjoy the peace and beauty of a well-ordered home. Ideally, our standards must be set somewhere in between. We will feel satisfied when we have done our best and then allow ourselves to relax and enjoy a job well done.

2.    Joy comes from within not from things or circumstances.The source of true joy comes from the Holy Spirit within. Without a foundation of having a relationship with God, true joy will be elusive. However, even a child of God can struggle to find joy in their homes. It is all in the mindset, or attitude, and that is a choice. Choose to be positive and see the blessing of taking care of your home. Have a thankful heart and do all things without grumbling or complaining. (Philippians 2:14)

3.    Start early and begin with a daily quiet time. Take time to read the Bible and hear from God before getting a jump on your day. Meditate on what God is saying to you through His Word. Pray and yield to His will for the day. Allow Him to set your priorities. This will establish meaning and purpose which will transform your attitude about your housework.

4.    Schedule your day for success. Intersperse periods of hard work with moments of rest. Set a block of time to work energetically, and don’t stop until time is up. Then, reward yourself for work well done. Give yourself a break periodically to do something you enjoy or to rest.

5.    Choose to work enthusiastically. Regardless of how you feel, when you choose to be energetic anyway, your feelings will follow. During your blocks of work time, get down to business with vigor.

6.    Focus on the end product. If all you can see is the dreaded process, you will be overcome with lack of motivation. However, when you keep the end result in your mind, you will find more satisfaction in working toward it.

7.    Smile. I have found that when I intentionally make a pleasant facial expression, my emotions follow suit.

8.    Play positive, upbeat music. We have talked in former posts about the power of music to set the mood in our homes. While working, adrenaline pumping music will infuse you with energy and pick up your spirits!

9.    Pray for your family members as you work in the home.When you realize why you are doing what you are doing, you will find more satisfaction. When you say a prayer for each family member as you do their laundry, wash their dishes, or make their beds, the joy of nurturing will overpower the dread of the work.

10. Do all that you do for the glory of the Lord. It is true that anything and everything we do can become a form of worship when we do it for God’s glory. When I choose to honor Him with even my ordinary tasks, then I am motivated to do my very best. I see my housework from a new perspective and find true joy in my work when I do it “as unto the Lord.” (Colossians 3:23)