HOW ARE YOU?

One of the often used pleasantries, when we meet someone whom we know is, “How are you?” It could be a pleasantry, or a conversation starter; and it could also be taken as, an offensive question. It could mean any of the above, depending upon what is happening within us…not so much without [outside of] us.

The Good Old Book has something insightful to say on this seemingly simple question, “How are you?”…
– “13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” – Proverbs 15:13
– “22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22
The point that is being made is simple. It is not what is happening around us that bruises and breaks us. It is what happens within us, that will bruise and break us, when facing struggles and storms.

“How are you?” I am doing well! When we face the sun, while we are struggling…everything will be bright and sunny This is what I have learnt in life. This is my very own way of looking at life, and all its challenges. Such an attitude may not solve the problem itself. But, it surely gives us the strength, and courage, to stand up to the struggles; face them straight up; and say it in its face, “I will not give up, nor give in.”

The sure “sun” at all times is, the “Son of God” – learn to look to God, not as some ignorant fool – it doesn’t help much. Learn to know and understand who God is; how He works; what He had done in the past; and what He desires from us. This knowledge will securely place us on firm footing.

Secondly, learn to lean on good, matured and godly Christians, who can stand with us in our struggles, and nudge us with their experiential wisdom drawn from God, onto the right path.
– “25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.” – Proverbs 12:25

The words which the LORD Jesus read at the very beginning of His earthly ministry should be *the permanent source of inspiration* to us…
– “18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” – Luke 4:18-19