Don't Worry...Be Happy even in Slave Conditions

          Being a slave, for Africans, was a hard adjustment when they came to North America. They were in a strange place where everyone and everything looked foreign to them. The language was different, the food was different, and they were required to act and believe different from their normal way of life. Being trained, as if they were mere animals was hard, and the slave masters showed no mercy in ensuring that they would be acclimated to their new demands.

          To speak in their native tongue would bring punishment along with countless other things that slave owners would deem fit. The slaves were not give any options, but had to conform. They were not able to have a voice. They had to live in total servitude to their masters with no hope, or at least outwardly spoken. Their lives were not their own and they were considered to be no more than the cattle they helped to oversee.

          Despite their situation, they tried to make the best of it. Many spirituals were song during the hours they were either in the field and/or the 1 day that they may have had to themselves. Other entertainment included playing musical instruments, dancing, and chatting with one another. The times they were in were not the best and could be often classified as the worst for many. However, they tried to not let their situation overcome their spirits. The slave masters may have taken their bodies, but they couldn’t take their minds.

          It is sometimes hard to be happy when you are bound. There are many things in life that can keep you hostage if you allow it. Rejection, abuse, financial crisis, and family dysfunction are just a few of the things that have a ball and chain on many people’s emotions. Many did not ask for it or wanted it, but it was the hand that was dealt to them.

          So how can a person be happy despite their current situation? The best thing a person can do is to take it to Jesus. James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. I know that it may not be easy and you will sometimes shed tears. However, God doesn’t desire for us to remain in a downcast state. He loves us and He wants us to truly be happy despite our situation. One thing that is good to do when facing adversity is to see what lesson can you learn from it.

          If you go through things in life and never take any lessons from it, you are more than likely to face that challenge again and again until you learn from it. Life is a test in many ways. It poses questions  and you have to decide how to answer. You will either flunk or pass, but there is no in between. The good thing about God however, is that He grades us on a curve. He allows us to mess up, but He gives us enough grace where we don’t flunk the exam. For many of us, He gave us a make-up test. We may not have passed the first time, but we definitely will pass the second, and if not the second the third. His grace is unlimited. Therefore, we never want to abuse it in any way.

          Like Kirk Franklin said in his song, “SMILE.” Even though it hurts, just smile. God will make it alright. All you have to do is just smile because He is smiling right back at you. Take Care and God bless!