Being Happy Where You Are

Asking For a Friend

Q: How can I be at peace with my own path when it looks so different from the paths of those around me?

– This question was submitted anonymously by someone like you! –

That’s what a friend asked me 3 years ago. I was on the verge of tears as she looked at me and said those words, “Friend, where are you…?” I remember being taken back. I thought I am right here! What are you asking? This wasn’t some game of hide-and-seek, nor was it a question asked due to my absence. It was a friend sitting down with me, looking me square in the eye with love, and asking me these four crucial questions:

Where are you mentally?

Where are you physically?

Where are you socially?

Where are you spiritually?

So let me ask you. Yes you, the person on the other side of this screen – Where are you, my friend?

As you contemplate your station, may I remind you when I was asked this question I was in a place of exhaustion? I was mentally fatigued, physically spent, socially exhausted, and spiritually overwhelmed. I constantly worried about my life, my future, my goals, God’s timing, and more!

I looked at my friend through glassy eyes, but before I could answer she handed me a notepad & pen. She said, “No don’t tell me. Tell yourself.”

Those questions soon transformed into statements like “I am not where I want to be”, “I feel less than what I want to be”, “I wish I were there”.

WHAT WAS I ANSWERING?!

That was not the question! “Where are you?” – That was the question! Not “where are you not?” I needed to change my focus!

His Grace is Sufficient by Brad Wilcox encourages beyond the clauses of “You’re okay” and ‘”Here’ is where you are supposed to be”. He speaks to the ever-existing feeling that we may not be doing enough, or we just aren’t where we want to be yet. He speaks to the people who feel like they just can’t make it the way others have. Every time I read this I become more certain of what it means to be confident in my exact location spiritually, mentally, physically, and socially.

Shortly after, I fumbled upon an article, The Right Place at the Right Time which quoted: “Therefore, I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this place; for thus it was expedient in me for the salvation of souls.”

This quote is taken from a story of two men who were called of God and asked to preach of Christ, yet I feel it applies. You are where you are for the salvation of souls, even if that soul is only your own. So when you catch yourself in the everyday war between “here” and “there”, remember this:

You are “here” for a reason.

Whether your dream station is heaven, life beyond grad school, steps toward home-ownership, or a place to start a family the message is the same. With God, you will get there!

I think the world of you for asking such an honest question. Just keep asking!