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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

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.











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13 Comments:

Blogger Denise said...

Praise God for helping us through all our days.

January 21, 2009 at 12:26 AM  
Blogger Miriam said...

Bless you Annie for this message. it was a timely reminder for me, that God is right there with me when every thing seems to go wrong.

January 21, 2009 at 3:27 AM  
Blogger crazybrunette said...

Just wanted to thank you for the scripture from 2 Cor. - it is right on time for me! I spent this last weekend in spiritual battle over a task I have before me, and this gives me confirmation in my attempt to separate the enemy's whisperings from what I know is right. Thanks!!!

January 21, 2009 at 8:38 AM  
Blogger Shannon Jacobyansky said...

When I have days like this, even though I'm down...I try to praise the Lord with thankfulness. Often times, I will also put on some good Christian music and just worship the Lord. A good walk also makes me feel better!

January 21, 2009 at 8:52 AM  
Blogger Betsy Markman said...

You know, I've seen that 2Co verse a million times, but it hit me in a new way just now...that when we board that train of thoughts that does not honor God, it is a hindrance to our knowledge of God! If we've decided in our hearts that we want to know and love God as our top priority, then this verse will help us see that tempting train of negativity in a new light.

Thanks for this reminder

January 21, 2009 at 9:27 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have a new "anchor" verse for 2009, Psalm 18:2 - The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. I can recite this verse over and over again during those bad days. Another powerful tool for me is music. My current favorite bad day song is Blessed Be the Name of the Lord by Matt Redman.

January 21, 2009 at 10:25 AM  
Blogger Stephanie said...

Thank you,this morning I got up feeling like I had lost my fire for God,but then I was reminded of being in the wilderness

January 21, 2009 at 11:25 AM  
Blogger FLO said...

Thank you so much for this devotional. I have dealt with anxiety issues for several years. I was taking prozac for the attacks and for some reason we couldn't afford the doctor's visit to renew my perscription. I made an anti-anxiety book with Bible verses and encouraging quotes so when I feel an attack coming on I read that and do a lot of praying. I've been off prozac for over a year now. Tho there are days when I would still like to crawl back in bed. I thank the Lord for being there when I need Him. 24/7!!! Who else can we count on like that?

January 21, 2009 at 11:50 AM  
Blogger LauraLee Shaw said...

Yes, those "bad" days come flooding in like the rain sometimes, don't they? This is an encouragement for those days! Thank you!

January 21, 2009 at 3:59 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

It takes spiritual warfare against the forces of evil every second of the day. Thank God we have strength and power through the spirt of God.

January 21, 2009 at 7:45 PM  
Blogger Cathy said...

Very good! I need to remember this! I'm in the middle of a 21 day challenge given by my husband (our pastor) to pray each day this prayer.
"Heavenly Father. You are in charge of everything that will happen to me today, whether it be good or bad, positive or negative. Please make me thankful for everything that happens to me today. Amen"
It's helping me to change my attitude!
Thank you!

January 22, 2009 at 7:06 AM  
Blogger Alexia said...

Unfortunately I'm the queen of negative thoughts and can get on a roll rather easily - it's one of the things God and I have been working on in this new year.

Funnily enough Job comes to mind every single time I want to go off on a rant to, obviously, remind me that others have had worse days than me. But also it just reminds me that this is another moment in my life where God has faith that I will make it through no matter what the Devil sends my way - and I for sure want to make God proud!

January 22, 2009 at 1:33 PM  
Blogger ValAnn said...

Like you girls, I also have my ways of dealing with those bad days... Turning to him is the quickest way to turn those bad day moods around...

I also turn on the Christian music, sing a long, pick up an inspirational book, be it the Bible, or a devotional, or I just send an email to some really good friends for a quick prayer!

My favorite for these time is 1Peter 5:7 "cast all your cares upon him... "

January 23, 2009 at 9:45 AM  

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