Broken Mindset

Consider this verse:

 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. [James 1:2, NLT]

I think this verse is very ironic, border line to being an annoying verse. I mean how can one find joy in the middle of troubles? Troubles come in small and big packages, some as small as your car breaking down, or as big as a broken relationship or a loss of someone you love. But the verse didn’t qualified the trouble. James didn’t even say “IF troubles come your way..” as if confirming that, sooner or later, troubles will really come. I believe this short snippet from an article written by a good friend of mine, might just give light to this verse somehow…

Something happened to me yesterday that made me feel sad and it felt like someone stole my ability to smile. I’m sure you have felt the same way too before. Our smiles can be stolen from us, that’s reality! But then I proved something wrong, money can do buy happiness.

Ive heard from before that happiness and joy are totally different. Happiness is temporary in nature and it is often associated with an outward expression of the inner feeling. Joy on the other hand comes from within, it is a state of feeling good even thought your situation says otherwise. I thought only happiness can be bought, just like buying ice cream or chocolates. Now even researchers have studied that joy can be bought as well.

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Yesterday, I heard that it was ‘burger day’ and my favorite burger restaurant has a 50% discount promo. Since my dad also love that burger restaurant I called him up and told him I’ll be buying lunch and that we’ll eat together. I drove to the nearest branch, parked on a sidewalk, lit the cars hazard lights indicating that I will just leave my car for a while to place my order.

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I went inside the restaurant feeling good because I was the first in line. I was then told to wait for 10 minuites while they prepare my order. So I went back to the car and waited… It felt so long, it’s been 15 minuites and they still haven’t delivered my order as they said. Went back inside and was told to wait for a minuite they’re just putting them inside the bag. Once I got a hold of my paper bag, I walked happily towards my car and suddenly everything went slow motion as I saw my car’s wheel being clamped because I left if for less than 5 minuites on the sidewalk. I got fined for illegal parking, and I’ve been going to this place as long as I can remember and this was the first time this happened to me! I was furious inside but held my composure outside.

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I had to cash out 1,000 pesos and wait an hour for the tire to be un-clamped! It was supposed to be a ‘quick order bargain burger’ and it turned out the opposite! “This is so hassle!” I said. My smile was stolen away.

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Soon, I texted my wife and informed her of my disappointment and she reminded me to smile and it’s ok she loves me. Then I realized I just lost 1,000 pesos and 1 hour, why would I let my loss dictate the mood I have for the day. I had two choices, stay negative and make my anger-sadness viral (which is so easy to do!) or be postivie and think of the love ones I have and that my dad will really enjoy the burger I bought him. I chose option two, stay positve!

(Read the rest of the article here.)

Dr. Bu Buenazedacruz, a dentist by profession, writes about finding REAL confidence in his blog The Confident Smile. He says:

A lot of people smile for different reasons and the common thing about these smiling folks is that they are confident about something. Sadly, for some individuals, they smile to cover up what they truly feel inside. Maybe you are one of them, you smile to cover up a loss, a failure, an unwanted past, a relationship dysfunction or simply because you feel deprived. Let me tell you, nobody deserve to feel that way.

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