What I have to keep in mind on a “bad day”

Have you ever had a day when everything seems to go wrong? From the minute you get out of bed, you just wish that you could crawl back in and skip all the things you are facing that day? I believe that we have all experienced such times.

A promise from God

It’s a day when God is giving you extra opportunities to overcome. It sure doesn’t feel like He cares so much about you, when it seems like everything is going wrong! But, God’s Word is clear. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13. That means that even on days when everything seems to be against you, it is possible to not become irritated and bitter or to fall when you are tempted.

David’s example: A fearless victor

I remember one time especially that I had one of these days; it seemed like everything was against me. As I went to bed and reflected on all the things that had happened, I was reminded of the story of David and Goliath in the Old Testament. David was just a young man against a mighty giant, but he was so full of the spirit of faith, and trusted in God so completely, that he was fearless. In this spirit of faith and power he was able to overcome and kill the giant, and ultimately the whole enemy army was defeated. He took the head of his enemy and, as a result of his faithfulness, peace was restored to the Israelites, where before they had been plagued by the Philistines.

An overcoming life

I thought about how this related to the day I had just had. I felt like I had been in the battlefield all day, and all I could see were enemies in my flesh, such as my own irritation, or anger at not being able to change my situation. How easy it is in such a time to take out my frustration on the others – to be rude, or to lash out in anger. But I knew that if I did this then my enemies would win. Then I would not have overcome them; they would have won a victory over me. Instead of reacting in this way, I could recognize the enemies within, and choose to condemn them before I fell. I could refuse to give in to things like bitterness, irritation or anger. Every time they came up I could say “No!” and pray for help to overcome.

At the end of the day, I could say that I had fought an incredible battle against my own sinful nature. I knew that the heads of my enemies were in my hands, and I felt incredible peace and joy to know that God had really given me a way of escape in these many situations. I knew that I had not given in, that I had overcome.

And God wants the same for you in your situation! You too can restore peace to the land, even on the days when it seems like everything is going wrong!