God is the Best Therapist

I feel I have started to truly submit to God since COVID-19. God has unique ways of teaching us and sometimes I have caught myself saying God has a great sense of humor especially when things don’t necessarily go my way (which I am so thankful for). 

To start digging into the title and what that really means to me and maybe to you, I want to share a bit of an overview of who I am, as a person. I was introduced to submission when I was in my teens. Little did I know then that my whole life was going to change just with that one decision to worship God alone. It was definitely not an easy task—being a teenager, accepting submission and having non-submitting parents all at once.

As any insane teenager (not all are as crazy), I took a lot of wrong turns. I come from a very traditional family and growing up in an oppressive environment, being a rebel was my way out mentally. My teens and all of my 20s were challenging, mostly because of my wrong choices and decisions. God knew the only way I learnt was by burning excruciatingly in my own wrongdoing, so I’d understand never to waver. It worked, and I am eternally thankful to my Creator.  

[94:5] With pain there is gain. [94:6] Indeed, with pain there is gain.

All of the wrong turns led to years of sorrow and pain. I have had severe depression for as long as I remember and that is a topic not many people like to discuss, especially if you come from a strict culture. For years, I dealt with depression, suicidal thoughts, and feeling lost.

Even after all the sins and mistakes, God was Kind to forgive me and give me the opportunity to redeem myself. [28:16] He said, “My Lord, I have wronged my soul. Please forgive me,” and He forgave him. He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful. I finally had gotten over the repercussions of my wrongdoing, God gifted me a wonderful home, a supporting husband, a job that allows me to do my 5 prayers. What more did I need? Everything has been perfect, God helped me through it all; however I still suffered from depression and I couldn’t figure out why.

Happiness: Now and Forever*

[10:62] Absolutely, GOD’s allies have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.

[10:63] They are those who believe and lead a righteous life. [10:64] For them, joy and happiness in this world, as well as in the Hereafter. This is GOD’s unchangeable law. Such is the greatest triumph

Footnote- Most people think that they have to wait until the Day of Resurrection before they receive their rewards for righteousness, or the retribution for wickedness. But the Quran repeatedly assures the believers that they are guaranteed perfect happiness here in this world, now and forever. At the end of their interim here, they go directly to Paradise (see Appendix 17)

These verses, and the message God sent through His messenger, promised perfect happiness now and forever. However, I kept failing to understand why I was yet to achieve that. I’ve corrected my ways as much as I can, then why do I feel so depressed? I know God controls the minds and hearts of all. ... [48:4] He is the One who places contentment into the hearts of believers to augment more faith, in addition to their faith...  then why can’t He fix me and make me feel better?

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