"Creating Your Happiness Amidst Hard Times” - 28/3/25"

This contest is very personal to me and seeing it was an opportunity to share my triumph over a difficult situation I encountered.

This thumbnail image is one that’s very special special to me. Special because it was taken in a period when I was passing through a very difficult time of my life.

I had just broken off a relationship of two years that was to lead to marriage. I was heart broken that period. I can’t even begin to say the kind of pains and trauma I passed through those periods.

It was in this experience that I got to know that the human heart can actually break. Most time when we say people encountered heart break, sometimes we do not know the extent of the heart break.

My heart felt heavy and painful. Very painful. My heart was broken into bits and pieces. It literally felt like I could feel it disintegrating into bits. I would hold by chest with my two hands as if to stop my heart for disintegrating and I would cry and cry.

I cried like a river. I cried till I started begging Gof in prayers that he should help me that I was tired of crying. I couldn’t eat for days, I was locked up indoors wallowing in depression and pain.

One of those days, I said a very simple prayer. I told God to take away this pain and give me joy and the strength to pass through this situation. I asked him to help me forgive the man that offended me.

When I finished making that prayer, It felt like there was a wash over me. A burden was lifted off my shoulders and I felt so light. I started laughing and jumping and singing.

I felt so free as air. I sent the young man a voice note tell him that I’ve forgiven him and that he can move on with his life. I couldn’t believe my experience. The next week in church I was so joyful, smiling and laughing with everyone.

In the midst of the rejection, I learnt that I am wonderfully and fearfully made. I learnt that I am beautiful and deserved to be loved. I left aside mourning and decided to put on joy and happiness.

I overcame rejection, pain and heartbreak through prayers and learning to love myself and carry myself with honour. It was a difficult moment but the joy of the Lord was my strength.

My heart was healed. I was no longer broken. I cried no more rather I was full of joy and happiness and am still smiling knowing that I am wonderfully made and deserves the best.