Happiness can be a job 

People are really unhappy and do not know how to change that.

Someone has all the money they need, a great family and a bunch of answered prayers, but one thing remains elusive: happiness. For some, this sinks further into depression, self-loathing, self-harm and even suicide.

I do not take this topic lightly because I once suffered depression, despite having a job, good family and even a car – material things that people think can make them happy. I lose count of the times I would be in traffic and weeping silently because I was feeling so inexplicably unhappy.

In fact, when I went to a pastor for counselling and she prayed for me and a joy and peace that surpasses human understanding came over me, that is the day I gave my life to Jesus Christ. I had never felt that way before, and that day I overcame my depression.

So, if you are finding it difficult to be happy about anything, you can take my path and take it to the Lord in prayer. The joy of the Lord is indeed our strength, and who knows us better than He that has the blueprint and spare parts of our lives? Talk to God the way you would tell a confidant, about those feelings and ask Him to take them away.

Some find it easier to search for happiness in a liquor bottle, a drug line or reckless living, but soon discover that release is temporary. So, pray about it and also seek the deliverance you need.

It also helps to keep a notebook or journal, where you document your feelings in much detail. You will find that the conversations you have with yourself are the most honest; so, write them down. It is a big step towards opening up to another person. That person could be a loved one, a psychologist/psychiatrist (if you are clinically depressed), a trusted pastor, etc. But don’t keep these feelings bottled up; they fester.

Last but definitely not least, be intentional about yourself. Stop expecting your happiness to be delivered to you by another person. You can take care of yourself and do things that make your heart glad, whether you have company or not.

If watching a movie in the cinema leaves you feeling good, go for it. If you love jogging and working out, don’t wait for quorum – you are enough.

But true joy comes from the Lord, I will tell you. All those things worked as temporary therapy for me when I was battling my own demons, but my total release came 20 years ago; the day I made the personal decision to give my life to Christ. The peace, happiness and floating-on-air feeling I felt that day was my first miracle of salvation, and I will never forget it.

I pray that you find it one day.

malita@observer.ug