Greetings, my friend! This is day four of our 2026 devotions centered around the theme of being satisfied. It’s my last day of sharing so I wanna leave you with something I think is one of the most important keys to satisfaction in life and as a Christ-follower- our identity. Everything flows from knowing God as our heavenly Father. Not overlord, not boss, not employer, Not supreme being – but our FATHER.

We all want to be happy, fulfilled, and deeply satisfied with our lives. But satisfaction often seems just out of reach. We think, “I’ll be happy when things settle down”, or “I’ll feel good once I reach that next goal”.

The problem isn’t the desire to be satisfied—it’s where we’re looking for it.
In truth we go about seeking satisfaction all wrong. Instead of seeking happiness itself, our fulfillment comes when we seek the author of joy and who we are to Him! Satisfaction is a byproduct of knowing him and knowing our identity. And scripture is very clear on this point. In 1 John 3:1, we read:

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are.”

Not someday.
Not once we get it all together.
Right now.

When we forget this, we quietly start treating life like a performance. We work harder, strive more, and hope eventually we’ll feel secure and fulfilled. But God never intended satisfaction to be earned—He intended it to be received.
Jesus says in John 1:12:

“To all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”

That means our deepest happiness doesn’t begin with effort, but with acceptance. Your identity as a child of God’s is the foundation for a satisfied life, not the reward at the end of it.

Paul speaks directly to this in Romans 8:15:

“You did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.”

Fear and striving drain our joy, but sonship restores it. When we live as God’s children rather than spiritual employees, fulfillment grows. We stop chasing approval and start resting in love. We stop trying to earn happiness and start discovering it in relationship.
Here are a few steps to keep us reminded of the truth of our identity- the truth which frees us to live satisfied—not anxious; and happy—not hurried.

1. Begin each day grounded in who you are. Before thinking about what you need to do, remind yourself: “I am a child of God, and I am already loved.” A satisfied life starts there. Listen to Hillsong’s ‘Who You Say I Am’ a thousand times on repeat; quote 1 John 3:1 to yourself until it sticks. The God of the universe is your father!
   
   
2. Examine what’s shaping your sense of identity.
   When happiness feels distant or fulfillment feels thin, ask what you’re allowing to define you instead of God. Are relationships or work taking the focus and importance that is due God alone? Regularly examining our priorities help us stay on track.
   
   
3. Live FROM identity, not FOR it. Trust God like a child who knows they belong. A fulfilled life is built on a secure identity. A child who knows they are loved and valued, is a child who lives fearlessly and doesn’t feel the need to perform for approval, but at the same time LOVES to be with their parent.
   
   

True satisfaction doesn’t come from striving but in accepting, believing, and living out who we are in Christ—it comes from resting in our true identity.

Father God, we thank you right now that we are your children. We believe in your son Jesus, and have received the gift of eternal life from you. We know that your word says we are your children, not slaves or employees, but your spiritual offspring. Thank you, Lord God for the gift of Sonship. We know that it’s not something we earn by doing all the right things, but it’s something we receive by GRACE and through FAITH in you. Thank you for this beautiful gift. Help us to see ourselves the way you do, and live like we know it, in Jesus’ name, Amen.