Happiness | Kathryn Crawford Wheat

I have come to the realization that our problems in life can be the very thing that ultimately bring us happiness. When we face tragedy, dig through our pain, and eventually come out of it on the other side, we are renewed. In a way, it’s the pain that helps us feel joy. I believe that sometimes God has a radical way of showing us what is important. There are millions of people in the world that have what we think we want, who are in rehab, prisons, and divorce courts. We really should be careful of what we wish for. “Good fortune” can have bad side effects.

Having problems is thought to be a bad thing. But if you think about it, solving your problems makes you stronger. Having problems at work may be just the push you need to step out of your comfort zone and explore other opportunities. Being in a bad relationship can help you understand what love really means. It’s the growth that we experience during times of heartache, hardship and stress that makes us stronger, better people.

As a society, we believe that success is the opposite of failure. Not true. Failure leads to eventual success. It teaches us to persevere through life’s trials. Studies show that people who worry about mistakes shut down, but those who are relaxed about doing badly soon learn to do well. Success is gleaned by failure.

We are also told that we should be happy. Don’t get me wrong, happiness is a desirable emotion. But to think there are never going to be times of sadness or depression isn’t reasonable. We need to give ourselves permission to feel these difficult emotions sometimes. It’s normal and healthy.

Occasionally, we can fear change so much that we abandon ourselves in order to keep things stable. We resist rocking the boat. We float around smiling with a smile that doesn’t reach our eyes, trying to fool the people around us because we want them to believe that we are happy when we are truly miserable. But the heart and soul have a cycle of breaking and healing. So face your unhappiness and disappointments. Make the changes that need to be made in order to achieve the joy that you deserve. Yes, this is easier said than done, but have faith that God has better things in store for you. Embrace the journey and believe that the path you are on is the right one for you. It’s ultimately what makes you unique and helps you to grow to be a better person.

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