Happiness

Happy, happiness, joy, or joyful. What first comes to mind when you read those four words? My first thought was sunshine, laughter, smiling, being crazy/ goofy, friends, and society. So many of us each have our own unique stories over the past year and a half, and how the pandemic impacted each of our lives. For myself, Covid-19 was very hard for me because it forced me to be alone and by myself for long periods of time. Don’t get me wrong there were plenty of times that I was alone before college, but never in the same context of the quarantine shutdown in 2020.

This period of life forced me to reflect over the past couple years of college, relationships, friendships, family, and my relationships with the Lord. I began to wrestle with the fact that it is okay to be alone sometimes. More importantly, I learned that I do not have to let others define who I am as a person, God does that all throughout scripture. Isaiah 64:8 states, “but now, O Lord, you are our father; we are the clay and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” God made us uniquely different. I started to understand that it is okay to have a hard day, cry, eat way too much ice cream, drive around blaring music, and binge watch your favorite netflix show. The world too often tells people that you must be on the go and stay active and busy all of the time. However, God displays throughout the bible the importance of rest and living a simple life; opposite of the world. Matthew 11: 28-30 states, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” This passage of scripture explains how Jesus invites people who are tired, weary, and need rest in their life. Jesus is not promising relief from working or being busy but inviting us into a relationship with him and he will carry our burdens and give us rest.

Fast forward to your first thoughts about being joyful, and happy. So often the world and those in which we surround ourselves display through their actions positivity and being joyful. Rarely do you see others sitting and crying together or comforting those who are angry over something that happened that day. The world and others have taught people that showing your emotions or crying is considered “weak” or uncomfortable. The world changes constantly, and your emotions are a roller coaster that will continue to fluctuate throughout life. However, the one thing that never changes is Jesus' consistent and abundant love for his children and the lost. We are all God’s beloved children who are made uniquely different. You do not have to be outgoing, or have blonde hair in order to be liked by others. It’s okay to show your emotions to others, and it does not make you weak. One of the shortest passages in scriptures says in John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” Even Jesus publicly displayed his emotions toward others. According to research the benefits of crying include helping to relieve pain, self-soothing, helps gain support from others, helps with sleep, relieves stress, and releases endorphins (enhances mood). Displaying emotions like crying is a normal human response.

So where do we go from here? Let's invite others to be real and honest about how they are really doing. Not how they are doing as you are passing by quickly with your own agenda but, intentionally check in with those whom you're surrounded by. Let's help one another understand and become comfortable with being uncomfortable in sharing feelings and not feel pressure to act positive in every situation. Remember the importance of rest, because you cannot help others if your own cup is not full. Lean on God for he will give you rest and guidance throughout this period of your life. I challenge you to check in on those around you this week for how they are really doing and remember happiness and healing comes in waves.