happiness

You’re important to God

This verse has applied to my life so many times. When we go through ‘troubled’ waters, God is with us. He is an ever-present help in our time of need. God cannot separate himself from us. It is us who separate ourselves, don’t listen, write him off, and then we turn around and say, where’s God? Why isn’t he doing ‘this’ or ‘that’ in my life? You have to understand, most of the things you desire mean nothing in the greater scheme of life. Yes. They mean nothing. What we deem essential: success, love, travel, or money, for example, don’t mean much. Don’t get me wrong, he wants us to have the desires of our heart and blesses us at times. But what matters most is his heart for us and vice versa. Your quest for ‘happiness’ or whatever that is by western definition, is not as crucial to our Heavenly Father as you think it is. What’s important is that you have a heart for him.❤️💖💚💝💙💜💛

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the best-selling book, “Not Without God: A Story of Survival.” Her stories have been featured in various guest articles, medical journals, magazines, newsletters, and over 250 of her own blog articles. As an educator for more than twenty years, she’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. Her upcoming book, “Not Without God: Hope In the Storm” will be out later this year. Her writing endeavors earned her an invitation to speak at the Harvard Faculty Club’s “Business Expert Forum.” Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity, and she strives to do what she longs to–help other people. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Southern Writers magazine, and Suite T blog among other places. Socializing with friends, taking business trips, listening to music, and meeting new people are among her hobbies. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, or Twitter.

Out of the Storm!

I’m able to maintain a sense of inner peace even when there are storms all around me. I questioned myself the other day. Someone else in my situation may not feel this way. How could I be? Then I was reminded that happiness lies within us. The waters may be rising in anticipation of a flood, but you may be content. The flood waters will not “swallow you up.” I remembered, again, that happiness comes from deep within. It doesn’t lie in material things, nor does it lie in your status. It’s not in any labels you add. It comes from within. It’s a permanent happiness you can possess. It’s the one that is reborn every time the temporal happiness ceases to exist.

Whenever you start to feel unhappy, remember that eventually you will return to that place. Let go of worries, fears, selfish desires, pressure, disappointments, or the desire to win! Permanent happiness can only come from within. We are meant to be happy creatures, but culture often teaches us there is a void. We may feel we ‘need to have’ this or that, in order to be fulfilled. Just take a look at the world around us. It’s wonderful to be thankful, and no one would be happy about living in poverty, for example, but really count your blessings, and realize how much you have, you will think about what you are missing much less!

Keys to Success

There are no prerequisites to success. Success is not measured by what you have, what you own, or the amount of approval you get. Success is measured by the ability to remain happy in life even when circumstances are not so bright. ~ Zina Hermez

I’m thankful for many things. My life has not turned out exactly how I expected it to, but in many ways it’s far better than I ever imagined it could be. I always knew I had something significant to do. I couldn’t come here and do nothing. I feel that I’m now fulfilling that desire through my writing. I’ve learned that success in life is not measured by what you have, or who surrounds you. The favor of others is not a prerequisite to being happy. I’m very lonely at times, but I’ve learned that a prerequisite to happiness is taking all of the love that God has given you, and accepting it. Bask in it. And with a hopeful spirit, look ahead at tomorrow. There are joyful opportunities awaiting you. You’ll see.

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the book Not Without God: A Story of Survival and created the Spinal Cord Injury Solutions! online website. Zina works as an English Language Instructor, and has been an educator for nearly fifteen years. Her thousands of students have been from many parts of the world, and she’s worked with all ages.

Zina writes articles on faith and overcoming disability, and her stories have been featured in Christianity Today, Spinal Cord Injury Zone, SCI Access, newsletters, and medical journals among many other various publications. To learn more about Zina visit http://zinahermez.com.