So you had a bad day?

We've all had one of those days... you wake up just not yourself exactly. You drop the milk while making the cereal, can't find your shirt, and so on. I had one of those days recently. I wasn't sure why I woke up feeling out of sorts, but knew there was something not right. It's these days that someone can say something that on any other day would not mean anything but on certain days it means more. On this particular day I tried to keep a positive attitude. That was until making dinner... opening cans of veggies to make a big pot of vegetable stew. One wrong move and my pinkie almost met an imminent death with a freshly opened lid. I am happy to report that I saved the finger, barely, but that was the last straw on a downhill spiral of mishaps.

Sometimes life can just seem like too much. There are just too many obiligations, too many pulls from too many directions. You want to stand up and scream, "ENOUGH, I'VE HAD ENOUGH."

It's these days in particular that seem to erupt with bad thoughts and memories of the past. Flashbacks of bad times in your life roll through like a fast forwarding movie. Driving down the road I remember walking through a snack bar in a hospital in Dallas during the months following our daughter Isabelle's near drowning accident. I hadn't been back to that place in so long (in my mind). It's funny how your brain turns on you so quickly.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. II Corinthians 2:5

Even when the days seems gray (and lonely) it's necessary to hold your thoughts captive. I know from experience that jumping on that negative train of thought can become a run away train filled with more negativity and sadness.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

I love that God gives us direction in every area of life. I also love that His advice is not only perfect, it is also very practical. Taking time to realize how much there is to be thankful for and thanking God for those things can instantly bring you out of a negative frame of mind. Prayer, lifting your thoughts and needs straight up to God is also a very practical way of relieving a burden that is on your heavy heart.

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye
do. I Thessalonians 5:11

Having faithful Christian friends or family to talk to can also help to lighten your load.

What do you do when you have those kinds of days?

I know that my first desire is to crawl back in bed, pull the covers over my head, and wait for the day to work itself out. Unfortunately that is not a practical solution with the responsibilities of a family. I'm so thankful that God has given me paths to follow to get through both good and bad days.

Thank you heavenly Father for loving and proctecting us, thank you for
being our rock and strength and shield through the good days and through the
bad. Thank you for giving us practical ways to deal with life when the
days seem to be hard and thank you for never giving us more than we can deal
with. You are an awesome God and I thank you for loving us everyday.
In Jesus name, Amen.