Beat That Bad Day - By Lisa U Maki
When people ask me how I am, and I am not feeling so good, I normally say, "God is good all the time". Really, God remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is good even if I don't feel good.
How I wish all days were good. Sometimes I tell God that I wish I didn't have any negative emotions. There are just days when all I can say is "ugh"!!!... days when I just want to run and shout at the same time... days when I just want to pull my hair... days when I am just so tired to even think or pray. These days will always be here, for as long as I am here in this fallen world. Someday I will be free from it, but meanwhile I have to deal with the realities of this walk.
What I am going to share with you here is what I have learned and continue to learn during my bad days. Some may work for you, others may not. You may even be able to come up with your own solutions that will be perfect for you. My main objective is to share with you how I beat my bad days, or better yet, how I cope with it.
First, I have started to condition my mind that there are no bad days in the Lord. It is always a win-win situation with Him. Ecclesiastes 7:14 says: When things are going well, enjoy yourself; but when things are going badly, consider that God made the one alongside the other.
Second, I have learned to accept that discipline is part of being a disciple of Jesus. Hebrews 12:11 says: For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness-in conformity to God's will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God]. I have not only accepted but embraced the fact that every discipline from God is painful.
Actually, all my "not so good days" are about God's discipline. When I feel hurt, I know that He is teaching me to be emotionally stronger. When I feel offended, I know that He is dealing with some pride issues. Hebrews 12:7 says: You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline? We are told to submit to God's discipline which means I shouldn't resist whatever God is doing to me. It took a while before I finally understood this. I used to fight whatever I'm going through by rebuking it and praying so hard for God to take it away from me. Now, I submit to His perfect will and say: Whatever it is you're doing, go ahead. You know what's best for me. But please sustain me because I am feeling so weak right now.
Third, I refocus my mind on something good. I remember this song from the Sound of Music called "My Favorite Things".
It goes...
Raindrops and roses and whiskers on kittens... Bright colored kettles and warm woolen mittens... Brown paper packages tied up with strings... These are a few of my favorite things... When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad. I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don't feel so bad.
I used to sing this a lot before I got saved, and honestly, it is true. Philippians 4:8 says: For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
Fourth, I keep myself busy. I write, make songs, play the keyboard, run, or anything that will keep my mind off my situation. There are times when I can't even think, so when that happens, I keep myself busy with household chores.
Fifth, I minister to someone else. Actually, I don't even try to. God always sends someone to me during my worst days. And it has always uplifted me. Proverbs 11:25 says: he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
My worst days have been my best days and I will continue to look at it this way. My worst days have been days when I was drawn closer to the Lord... days when I prayed my best prayers... days when I sensed some strong supernatural power rise up from within me... days when I felt so intimate with God.
Beating a bad day starts in the mind. It begins with a positive outlook of looking at the glass half full than half empty. It is maintained through an understanding of what this walk is all about and a total surrender to God's perfect will.
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