Today is the 16th day of the 31-day-challenge! Thank God we’ve come this far! It’s really taken some brainwork to know what to write for some of these prompts. And most times, I write just a few minutes before publishing.
Anyhoo, today’s challenge is on universal meaning, and I was the definition of stuck. I looked up the phrase in the dictionary and it refers to a universal experience, something applicable to everyone. And while my friends in the sciences may have many universal laws to select from, I’m just gonna write what came to my heart.
And when we build our homes, may we make it a fortress against the hardships of life. May we drop all our troubles from the day at the doormat. And may we be welcomed with all the love and joy that makes us wanna live another day. -Mfon Etuk, 2020
It was the night before Christmas. Everywhere was dark. Save for the brightness of my screen as I tapped my keyboard. It felt as though my heart would burst. Read more
My first Christmas in Lagos is a nightmare. Fuel scarcity has been the order of the day; fewer buses available, more grumpy commuters and yet, insane traffic! It’s absolutely crazy. Read more
Joy! That should be something really happy and exciting right? Something that makes you lift your hands in praise when things aren’t going well. When you’ve lost someone dear or a job you found security in. Joy! That makes you laugh when the economy is receding faster than your hairline when you’re aging. Joy! That makes you love those you know hate you. Joy! That makes your heart merry even when the night tarries. Joy!
For those of you who have read the last couple of posts, you’d know I’ve been going througha lot and I really appreciate everyone who stuck with me through it! Thanks for the encouragement and prayers. It felt good to be on the receiving end of the encouragement! 😀
I’m glad to let you know I’m okay, and I’m on my way forward. The storm is calm and God’s peace has taken over. Thank God!
So I’m gonna share what I learnt from the past weeks;
Surround Yourself with ‘Encouragers’
I whined a lot about the depression and the bad breaks to quite a number of friends. The listeners listened; the encouragers encouraged me in the word, those who didn’t understand, still said something. A lot said the things I already knew. This reminded me of what Job said;
I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you. –Job 16:4
This made me give a lot more thought to how I encourage others. Let’s face it, most of the things you hear, you already know. What makes the difference is the empathy and the understanding shown by the person encouraging. You don’t go saying stuffs when you have no idea what the person is going through.
It all lies in your hands
One of my senior friends took the time out to let me know the power to stop being miserable was in my hands. She understood my whining and empathized with me. But also told me that we are responsible for our happiness not other people. We determine how to react to bad stuffs that happen and how we let them affect us.
This was followed by another message by Joyce Meyer that spoke about taking personal responsibility of what happens to us. There’s a limit to which people can help us. The bulk of the work still rests on our shoulders and our decisions.
Get your groove back!
So hey, I pulled out of the frumps and into some pumps and took myself out. Watched a really cool movie, didn’t even realize when I finished the pack of popcorn! Then I went on a shopping spree! Got a really cute dress, an amazing perfume and yeah I got a new chunky ring! 😀 Also had my favourite frozen yoghurt! Now that’s my happy place! I forgot about the stuffs weighing me down and I even noticed how cute the clouds were on my way home. Like some soft pillows for the sky to rest upon. So adorable!
Photo Credit: shumilamalik5.wordpress.com
You can’t stay in your happy place forever
Oh, shopping is my happy place ! I totally love getting new stuffs! 😀 But I found out you really can’t stay in your happy place forever. Reality kicks in like an unwanted guest. Not long into the week I broke down again. It was an implosion that caused an explosion as I attacked the people that came around me. I always had my moods under control but I just lost it that day and they saw it- and of course, it freaked them out 😦
True Joy comes from God
Happiness is easily triggered by circumstances and is often short lived. But joy! Oh sweet joy that comes from knowing God and how much He loves you regardless of your imperfections. I sought after that joy. Repented of my sins and turned back to His warm embrace. 🙂
I had to stop looking to people and things to give me only what God could give me– joy and peace!
So dear one, if you’re still going through the sad phase, please cheer up. The night can never stop the day from breaking forth. No matter how stormy it is, calmness is certain. Take responsibility for your life. Christ has already given you victory over this battle. Just arise and take it!
It was the night before Christmas. Everywhere was dark. Save for the brightness of my screen as I tapped my keyboard. It felt as though my heart would burst. 
Dainty M. 