ENJOY YOUR LIFE

Thomas Itty Corepiscopa, Houston


Not too long ago I was in my doctor’s office for an additional visit subsequent to my normal scheduled visit two weeks prior to that. My better half was also with me who did force me to go to the doctor noticing slight change in my health to the negative. After the usual chat and informal friendly enquires he asked, “So who is sick today?” “I am”, “he is” we both answered simultaneously. I explained to him my conditions and said “I don’t think the medication you gave me two weeks ago is working. I feel worse than what I used to be before starting the new medication.’’ The doctor examined my body, evaluated the condition and said: “You are okay. Continue the same medication; it will take couple of weeks for the body to respond to the effects of the medication. Do whatever you like doing. Don’t worry about any thing. Try to be happy always. Enjoy your life.” This was an eye opener and thought provoker for me. Is it possible for one to enjoy life and find happiness in the midst of physical ailments and mental frustrations and disappointments? If it is impossibility the doctor would not be suggesting it. If it is not happening in our life of course it is an attempt worth a try.

The first generation ‘youngsters’ are reluctantly stepping in to the early hours of eve slowly but on natural pace though unwilling and compulsive and impulsive not to accept the fact of their age and health. As we grow older symptoms of old age are quite natural to develop along with several kinds of illness – minor and very serious, curable and incurable but controllable. Most of us loose our faith on being victims of serious illness and loose our interest in life and feel and act like joy and happiness are gone for ever from life and future life is an utter waste and that scary monster death is going to grab us soon. Joy, happiness, illness, death all are part of worldly life. In our effort to turn negative situations in life to positive angles acceptance of this fact is a must. It is imperative that we have to do the best we can to face difficulties in life with a smile on the face and extreme faith in God for nothing happens with out the knowledge of God. Whatever happens in life whether be good or bad, happy or unhappy, pleasing or painful has a divine purpose. When we engage ourselves in pursuing the divine purpose in life we will be able to find ways and means to face difficulties in life and find happiness while dealing with crisis situations. God does not want us to be miserable and unhappy on the contrary expect us to experience joy by abiding in Him to the full extent. “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you and that joy might be full (John 15:11). Our relation ship with God is very significant.

We often fail to experience happiness in its full extent since our outlook towards happiness is different. A toy may make a little child happy. One suffering from starvation will feel happy provided he is given food where as it will be wealth or materials for another one facing financial crisis. Healing of a chronic illness will undoubtedly make a sick person happy while realization of a change in behavior of disobedient children to be obedient and loving will make concerned parents happy. Some people even make it conditional saying they would be happy if they reach certain levels of material achievement, social recognition or retirement. The source of happiness differs from person to person. Even in case of some pursuit of happiness is generally attached to certain string like conditions. Under these situations it is practically impossible to experience happiness. Our effort should be to find comfort and happiness even in the midst of unpleasant or unhappy events in life. Happiness is not a destination but is a journey. In order to enjoy that journey feeling the bumps and ditches, ups and downs and joys and sorrows of life we need to come to the presence of God with strong faith, submission and confidence. There is nothing impossible with God. He is the best problem solver and crisis manager.

In the book of Isaiah (Ch: 38), we read about the sad plight of Hezekiah who lost a war to the Assyrians and the frustrations subsequent to that defeat. Moreover to add to the misery Isaiah son of Amos delivered the message from the Lord that he is nearing his death and therefore has to set his house in order. Probably Hezekiah was in the utmost of his difficulties and mental agony. What Hezekiah did was exemplary and worth following when we fall victims to defeat, poor health and similar miserable situations. Hezekiah prayed to God, “…Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight”, opened his heart completely to God and “wept sore”. Consequently God reversed the decree and extended his life for another fifteen years and assured to deliver and defend him and his city from the Assyrians.

At times we face difficulties similar to that. We hear discouraging and unpleasant news. We get defeated. We become preys to injustices and discriminatory treatments. We feel rejected and isolated. We feel hated and unwanted... We give up hope and feel a sense of grave loss and disappointment. But those are the occasions we need to come to the presence of God in submission and faith. The mighty God can turn a negative situation to a positive and profitable situation. I do recollect my experience with my own parish. I was removed from the vicar ship of the parish with out reasonable and justifiable causes other than personal dislike and vengeance of a few. I myself became victim of propaganda and one sided decision based on no facts but fiction and accusations. Though I felt for the worse for quite some time and the feelings are still strong and vibrant, God almighty has shown a way to serve the holy church through the formation of a new parish, a step I decided to take to avoid friction and to preserve the sanctity of the office I am called to.

One of Elisha’s servants died. We read in 2 Kings (Ch. 4). The widow and the two sons were left to face the harsh realities of life. While he was alive the family was taken care well through the income from selling oil. The survivors all on a sudden experienced not only ceasing of the income but the constant call for pay back from creditors. Excuses failed. The creditors had deaf ears to the cries of the widow and blind eyes towards the empty oil vessel. Darkness filled in the house. The widow could not figure out a way out. In this state of desperation and helplessness she decided to see the prophet and explain her condition which was even worsened by the holding of her children as bondmen until the debts are cleared. After listening to the details Elisha asked what she had in the house. Nothing other than a little oil was the reply. The widow was asked to borrow as many vessels as possible from the neighbors and she did. Elisha came to the widow’s house and prayed over the little oil she had and asked her to pour it to the borrowed vessels. All the vessels were filled and the supply of oil ceased as there was not any empty vessel left. The widow was asked to sell the oil, clear the debts and start a new life. Once again joy and happiness returned to the family. God has a plan for every one.

There are many families similar to the widow’s family around us facing difficulty in meeting both ends meet and struggling hard for financial security and independence a situation resulting from the unexpected or untimely lose of a bread winner. God almighty who is permitting such a situation will always have a purpose and plan. If we are strong in faith and ardent in our love of God we could leave all the burdens to him and allow him to enter into our personal life and enable us to put that smile back on our face. We would be able to enjoy happiness even in the midst of such crises.

Everybody has problems. Some of them are grave and leave us confused, frustrated, disappointed and some times with out hope. All these situations are quite natural and sure to take place at one point or another. Human life is temporal. There is no need to be worried of sickness or death. The best Christian way of approaching and resolving difficult situations is by doing the best to make the best out of all situations in life irrespective of their nature. Laughter and happiness are keys to better health and long life. So let us listen to my doctor, “……Do whatever you like doing. Don’t worry about any thing. Try to be happy always. Enjoy your life.”