Living Each Day to Please God: Joy, Integrity, and Faith in Action

One of the most freeing truths in life is this: you and I were created with purpose, and the largest purpose is to glorify God. Every single day is a fresh invitation to live in a way that pleases Him, to walk in the footsteps of Christ, and to hold fast to His commandments. That doesn’t mean life has to feel heavy, dull, or weighed down with rules. In fact, when we live for God, we discover joy, peace, and laughter that the world cannot offer.

Living With God’s Commandments as a Guide

The Ten Commandments aren’t dusty rules from a long-ago age. They’re a map for living — God’s loving boundaries that keep us safe, healthy, and close to Him. They remind us to honor God above all else, respect others, and walk in integrity. When we choose not to lie, cheat, steal, gossip, or give our hearts over to idols, we’re saying to God, “I trust You. I want to live Your way.”

Joy Without Compromise

Some people think living for Christ means giving up joy. Nothing could be further from the truth! God gave us laughter, music, creativity, friendship, and celebration. What matters is how we express those gifts. We can have fun, laugh until our stomachs ache, and enjoy the blessings of life without ever crossing the line into sin.

• Entertainment: Choose movies, music, and podcasts that feed your soul, not poison it. Ask yourself, Does this make me love God and others more—or does it tempt me away from Him? Would he be pleased with my choice?

• Words: Speak life. Build people up with encouragement instead of tearing them down with gossip or criticism.

• Workplaces: Drama and negativity are everywhere, but you don’t have to join in. You can set yourself apart by being kind, hardworking, and respectful—even when no one else is. That’s integrity, and it shines brighter than any spotlight.

Speaking to Young Hearts

I see so many young girls on social media dressed in ways that don’t reflect their true beauty. Pouty lips, skimpy swimsuits, sexual poses—it may bring a flood of likes and fire emojis, but at what cost? For a moment, it feels like validation. But let’s be honest: that kind of attention is shallow.

The guys leaving those comments aren’t admiring your intelligence, your creativity, or the beautiful soul God gave you. They’re chasing one thing, and it’s not love, respect, or a future together. The truth is, looking trashy attracts trash thoughts and actions.

But you were made for more. You are valuable, radiant, and deeply loved by God. You don’t need to reveal your body to prove your worth. The right man will be drawn to your heart, your joy, your faith, and the way you carry yourself with dignity. So show yourself in the best light—the light of Christ within you. Don’t settle for shallow attention when God has written a greater story for your life. There is nothing more beautiful—or truly attractive—than carrying yourself with honor, dignity, intelligence, and love.

And to the young men: the same world that pressures women also pressures you. It tells you manhood is measured by conquest—by how many women you’ve been with or how much attention you can get. But that’s not strength. That’s weakness disguised as glory.

Real strength is found in self-control. Real manhood is choosing to honor one woman—the woman you one day will call your wife. Your eyes and your heart weren’t designed to wander from one face to another, but to be faithful and steady, building a life of trust, love, and commitment. Real men don’t follow the crowd—they set the example. Be the one who leads with faith, honor, and integrity.

If God blesses you with children, it’s your honor and responsibility to raise them in a godly home, showing them what respect and love look like. That is legacy. That is manhood.

Guarding Your Mind and Heart

Philippians 4:8 tells us to fill our minds with what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. That means being intentional about what we consume:

• Music with uplifting messages instead of crude lyrics.

• Movies that inspire instead of corrupt.

• Conversations that bring joy instead of dragging us into sin.

• Social Media that is honorable.

The more we fill our hearts with God’s goodness, the less room there is for the world’s counterfeit pleasures, and the enemy working his evil way into the crevices of our thoughts and actions.

Standing Firm

There will always be naysayers. People will try to sway you, mock you, or tempt you into compromise. But don’t let them steal your light. Your faith is not about pleasing the world—it’s about pleasing the Lord. And when you live with integrity, when you honor God’s commandments, when you love Him with your whole heart, you’ll find joy that runs deeper than anything this world can give.

Your worth isn’t measured in likes, followers, or fleeting pleasures. It’s found in who you are in Christ. Live in a way that honors Him, and you’ll not only avoid regret—you’ll discover love, joy, and purpose that the world cannot steal.

Young women, carry yourself with dignity.Young men, rise up with honor. Everyone, you can change the world by living in God’s truth and love. Living for God is not about missing out—it’s about gaining everything that truly matters. Laughter, joy, love, and peace are found in Him. Each day, choose to walk in His ways, and you’ll discover a life full of meaning, free from regret, and overflowing with His presence. If you've not been living this way it's not too late.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV):

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

I don’t write because I’ve lived a perfect life—I'm the first to say I haven't. I write because I’ve stumbled, made mistakes, and learned along the way. Change is part of growth, and it should always lead us closer to the better version God calls us to be. Today is a beautiful day to begin again—because tomorrow is never promised.

XO, Marie