Seriously Happy

Many of us can falsify happiness with many diversions to control our sorrow. We tend to keep the real condition of our hearts perhaps due to being afraid of embarrassment or because we are too proud to deal with our grief. Others also think that being sad is just for the weak and they keep themselves busy or some people resolves to be more talkative to cover up their burden. The most upsetting cover up I can think of is being angry and worst is to declare that it is an acceptable kind of anger.

Many years back, I remember covering all up my burdens and it became normal for me to deal with my sorrow instantly with anger. I thought being angry can get everything I want accordingly. Well, there are some things we really can not learn in school but has to be learned in life. (Click here to read the rest of the story at RJC Website).

Humility Check

Two things can happen after you've started shining:

1. PRIDEFUL - You became a self-absorbed shining star consumed by your own flares. You keep posting or bragging about your accomplishments and if there are anything new about yourself which is almost everything. For example, your new looks, new guitar, new nail polish or even your new pen or toothbrush . The intervals of your posts are only 30 minutes or less. You flood the news feed like crazy. If anyone gives you a negative comment, you pretend you didn't hear (or read) them. You ignore corrections. You always think you are right. You always find a way to put your name and accomplishments in every topic.

2. HUMBLE - You acknowledge other people's gifts and talents. You brag your friends' accomplishments and never use that to lift you on a higher position. You mention who gave your new gadgets and stuff. You basically give others a chance to shine in the news feed. You share your own knowledge to pass on what you have learned. You accept comments and check yourself if it is true. In the process of checking, even if it was said in a bad or nice way, you try to change. You are willing to learn and improve from those corrections. You ask other people's opinion and that includes the other team's side. Most importantly, you know that winning isn’t everything and you don’t have to win.

There is a thin line between Humility and False Humility. One author said, "False humility is pride in disguise. I know because I’m a prideful jerk who sometimes likes to pretend he’s humble. Humility is an interesting thing. We are to be striving for it, yet, the only time we can be sure we’ve attained it, is when we stop looking at ourselves…when we don’t know that we’ve attained it. As soon as you realize(start to think) you are humble, you stop being humble."

In Hebrews 12:1-2, it says, "Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Therefore, focusing on Jesus, instead of ourselves, is true Humility. No one does like Jesus Christ. No one shines brighter than what He did, is doing or will do. Jesus Christ is the only reason why we shine like stars. All glory and praises about us belongs to the reflection of a Christ-centered life.

Try to look at yourself and see if Jesus Christ is alive in you. That is the true test of a humble heart.

Facing Your Giants

Now what if you are ready to shine, ready to get out from your comfy shell and be the better version of you then suddenly a Bully Giant is blocking your way to greatness?

Giants appear in different types.

MR.CRANKY NEGATIVE

Like King Saul in 1 Samuel 17:33, he said to David, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”

He only sees your weaknesses and your flaws. He thinks you cannot contribute something awesome and great out of your weaknesses. Remember that this type of giant is mostly logical and a realist. Sometimes, he might be thinking about your welfare but then again, if you're not as pragmatic as them, remind him that there is nothing bad in trying. Thank him for his concern and later give him updates how are you doing outside the fence. You might encourage him someday to at least take a peek outside.

MR. SENIORITY

Read 1 Samuel 17:28 "When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, 'Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle."

He seems to be your guru in different ways because probably he is older than you or joined the group earlier than you. He believes seniority rules and all new comers are subject to his leadership. You might probably need to ask yourself if submitting to all of his suggestions will benefit you or simply him. You have to reinstate why you have become friends. Most relatives and family members cling to this ideology since they all became part of your life first. Pro-actively solicit their feedback. Talk to them individually because the Mr. (or Mrs.) Seniority might bully his way in a group. Now, if there are only few Mr. & Mrs. Seniority that seem to be against your path to improvement, prepare your way out to fly like an eagle.

LITTLE MISS JEALOUS

This, I believe, is the most notorious among the giants. She can be your trusted friend or your beloved sister. You might not see this coming as you shine brighter and better than her. She manipulates you and may even spread lies and do whatever it takes to bring you down. She might have had her prime season but you have to tell her that each person has her or his own time to step up. If she lost her track, there are several reasons and you should not be part of her dying flame. The best thing you can do is to apologize for what happened to her (if there are any), remind her that she can still do other and better things and you are not her competitor.

Personally, I recoil whenever a friend confessed that she is jealous of me. I had to know more about the reason behind the jealously and if she would never want to resolve that, our friendship is over. They say that competition is healthy but if the other ends up being choked by fame and selfishness, then the competition has to end. We can still be friends but if I smell competition, I go to another direction and perhaps pave another way to be awesome for the Lord.

Dealing with enviousness can be another topic for me to write about. For now if you think someone in your circle of friends is acting up like Little Miss or Mr. Jealous or perhaps you are the Little Miss Jealous, I found a link from Bible.org which gives the most Biblical appoach to deal with envy or jealousy. Click here.