Having a Bad Day?
It’s happened to all of us. We've succumbed to feelings, been moved by circumstances, focused in on what's going wrong...and decided to have a bad day.
Often, our reasons are legitimate, and we can almost always find enough people or evidence to agree with us that yes, indeed, this is a bad day.
And yet, I have found that MANY bad days can be changed to good days simply by changing focus. One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 34:3, which says, "Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together."
Notice it does not say "O magnify the problem with me." When we magnify something, it gets bigger. When we magnify and exalt the Lord, He gets bigger in our hearts and minds and it increases our faith so that our problems look smaller.
To help me when I'm faced with a bad day, I have what I call my "Bad Day Checklist." I pass this checklist on to my students at the end of every year...I think it's handy for all of us to have around in order to change our focus! When you're having a bad day, ask yourself the following questions:
- Have I remembered to praise God today for His goodness and His mercy toward me? have I thanked Him for the precious blood of Jesus, for the promise of heaven, for walking in divine health, for all His benefits? Troubles fall powerless in the face of praise. (Psalm 103:2)
- Did I remember to tell my spouse, children, and close ones that I love them today, and how much they mean to me? They’re the foundation of my life – I'll keep it strong. When everything else falls apart, they are still there, and worth the daily investment.
- Did I forget that being a minister of reconciliation is not about me, but always about obeying God and loving people? I like what one minister says: “The worst day serving God is better than the best day serving the devil.” (2 Corinthians 5:18)
- Am I pitiful or powerful? I can’t be both! All the power of Jesus dwells in me. (Luke 10:19)
- Am I remembering to enjoy where I am on the way to where I’m going? I won't wait to be happy...I'll choose joy now. Nothing can steal my joy unless I permit it. (Nehemiah 8:10)
- Have I started saying what I see, instead of calling those things which be not as though they are? I can have what I say…what have I been saying? (Mark 11:23, Romans 4:17)
- Did I remember that love never fails? Ever? How can I apply love here? (1 Cor 13:8)
I encourage you during a bad day to re-focus your thoughts and words so you can encourage yourself in the Lord. It will help you remember all your benefits in Christ, and lift your spirits so you can enjoy each and every day!
