Happiness.
MY MORNING. I don’t share anything like this, so let this be the first.
My morning was different. An applicant quit. The due date for the bills is coming up. A close friend is going through grief. Another close friend is lost in life. And many more issues (life as usual).
I was in my bed, beside my laptop, i just uploaded pictures for the business, tinabi ko na muna.
I took my glasses off, lied down and cried.
“Lord ginagawa ko naman pinagawa mo. Bakit parang di naman ako masaya? Bakit parang mas nasasaktan pa ako? Pagod na din ako kahit saglit palang, di naman ata to gusto ko. Gusto ko naman tong tumutulong sa iba, pangarap ko to. Akala ko mapapasayaw ako sa saya. Bakit hindi ako masaya?? Bakit masakit?”
I cried like a kid. Naka-fetal position pa ako. Basa na ‘yung bedsheets ko. I sobbed. Sana ‘di nila ako naririnig lol. Binuhos ko lang iyak ko.
The Comfort
Then HE answered. HE comforted me while i was crying. HE reminded me of what I (ako talaga) discussed last bible study, from the book of Matthew. Naalala ko lang bigla, out of nowhere.
“Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!
“Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them!
“Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised!
“Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully!
“Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them!
“Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God! “Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children!
“Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!
“Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers.
Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted.
True Happiness
HE REMINDED ME. I think we all need this reminder. I was reminded that true happiness isn’t based on what I feel.
True happiness is when God finds a way to work in MY life. When God finds a trait that needs to be cut off, a skill that needs to be refined, faith that needs to be strengthened, courage that needs to be pruned, patience that needs to be lengthened, And trust that needs to be boundless. That is true happiness. True happiness is focused on God, not on what I feel.
Sino ka man, alam ko pagod ka na din. Kapit ka lang din sa mga natutunan (sa bible verses, sa Sunday message, sa bible studies, sa promises ni Lord), lalo kapag pinanghihinaan. Kaya natin ‘to!
_____________________
Jamila Mirate
June 2, 2021