Today, my aunt posted this on Facebook from a devotional she reads:
Today, we believe God wants you to know that …
it is more than okay to live your joy. Whatever makes your heart sing is what God wants for you! Of course it’s okay to be happy! Of course it’s okay to fulfill your heart’s deepest desires! What your soul most dearly and deeply desires is the very thing God wants for you.
This is so poignant to me lately. When did we as a society decide that there is merit in suffering and thinking poorly about ourselves? Or that experiencing joy is an occasion to feel guilty about? As if by doing so, we are more holy, righteous, or worthy?
I was hit with this thought a couple of weeks ago as I watched a documentary about the end of life with terminal cancer. The woman being documented was diagnosed with stage four hepatic cancer and it took a while for her to get noticeably ill. She was given 6 months, and by that mark, she wasn’t even showing signs other than being short of breath. The struggle that she faced was feeling guilty for being well!!! Isn’t that so true in our culture? The rewards for heroism go to the people who suffer the most, not the person who decides to live with joy and wellness as long as they can. Terminal anything is terrifying, and many times very painful for both the patient and for family and friends – I am not discounting that, or saying that their struggle isn’t every bit as real. My point is that feeling guilty for being well, and heaven forbid actually feeling good, or great is ridiculous and unfounded.
The bible says that we are not to think more of ourselves than others – it also says that we are made in the image of God… that makes us AMAZING, and that makes others AMAZING!!!! I would propose that it is not only okay, but actually necessary to celebrate our wellness and be excited about the great days and about our successes! Think about it, how often do you ask someone “How are you?” and hear them say “I’m great! Things are really going well and I am blessed!”??
We as a society have a propensity for finding and applauding the suffering of others. Lets respect the struggle that each of us faces, giving credit, empathy, and sympathy to those who are really in the worst and darkest parts of their lives. Lets ALSO feel free to celebrate our greatness, our God given abilities, and our God given identities!
Whaddoya say?
❤ Haley
Choosing The Kingdom 