Happiness Even in Difficult Situations
I read a story this week that encouraged me and I’d like to share it with you.
“During the Christmas of 2016, I didn’t have money for heat in my rental, let alone a Christmas tree, so I cut down a tiny tree in the backyard so my kids could decorate it. My wish was for them to be happy despite our circumstances and to have a healthy and normal Christmas. It was hard to face what my life had become. My 12-year marriage was over. In a matter of days, our world completely changed. The kids and I had only our clothes, their favorite toys and my vehicle. It was the hardest time of my life. However, I was determined to find the good, if not for myself but for my children. I rented a house and made a promise to myself that my children would never be cold or hungry and somehow by the grace of God, I kept that promise to them.
Since that Christmas and in the last five years:
- I’ve rebuilt my career
- Started a non-profit to help Autistic families
- Bought my own house and mini farm
- Bought a new car
- Helped my daughter navigate her disabilities
- Raised two kids alone
- Got out of debt
- Learned to love myself again
- Experienced happiness
The author of this story says the message is this. “No matter what life deals you, you have every right to be happy. No matter how far you fall, you can and will rise again with God’s help. Have hope! Have faith! Believe in yourself. All I know is if you set goals, work hard and surround yourself with good people, you’ll succeed. It may not be five years or ten, but it will happen. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The holidays can be tough, but know that next year’s Christmas could look very different than this year.”
When you study Bible verses about happiness, a few things stand out. First, we can have inner happiness even when we are in difficult situations. Everything doesn’t have to be right in your world for you to experience the feeling of being happy. If you keep your eye on the bigger picture, it’s easier to rise above the trials and tribulations of life and still find reasons to be happy. If you keep your focus on God and eternity, it is easier to experience happiness even in challenging times.
Prayer: Dear God, help me to find happiness and joy in Jesus. You gave your one and only Son so that we could have life. Thank you for sending Jesus for each of us. Amen.
John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy: I have come that they may have life and have it to the fullest.”
Author: Tommy Herndon
