How To Handle A Bad Day

“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

Philippians 4:12

If the apostle Paul was given the task of writing a policy on “how to handle a bad day” he could just as easily handed us a Bible and opened it to the book of Philippians, one of the books he wrote while being isolated in a prion cell for sharing the Gospel. Paul writes in the book of Philippians that he has pretty much experienced every situation and circumstance that a person can this side of heaven and he wanted the world to learn the lessons that he himself learned.  

Step 1: Rejoice in the Lord. In the previous chapters the apostle Paul has made clear that Jesus is our motivation, our strength and the one who makes rejoicing in any situation even possible. Rejoicing in the Lord is a choice we get to make. The call to rejoice is a command of God given to us but like all commands we have the freedom to choose to obey or not. What we can’t choose is the outcome of our disobedience. The apostle Paul from a jail cell is sharing from his own life experience how we all can thrive and not just survive, even in the midst of a bad day. And it all begins by choosing to rejoice in the Lord, what He has done and what He has promised to do!  

Step 2: “Let your gentleness be known.” One of the first things that happens when things go wrong is people begin to panic or to react in fear which often times reveals itself by us becoming angry or harsh. It’s the natural response of our old sin nature. Gentleness on the other hand is a fruit of God’s Spirit in us, a byproduct or evidence that the Holy Spirit is living in us and giving us the ability to exercise self control. Paul could be gentle even in prison because he knew that God was in control. When the people around you are becoming fearful, ask God to give you the strength to be gentle, firm, yet gentle.

Step 3:  Don’t be anxious, be prayerful! It’s completely natural to feel anxious when we face the unknown. That’s why God calls us to pray and to cast all of our cares on Him. God’s got big shoulders and Jesus invites us to come to Him when we are tired and burdened in this life for the burdens He gives us to carry are light. When fear and worry seek to weigh you down, pray pray pray and cast all your cares on Jesus!

Step 4: Be Thankful. In times of uncertainty like the apostle Paul found himself as he sat chained in his cell he could have easily become bitter. Just like happiness, being thankful is a willful choice we get to make each day. Like you I am learning it’s hard to be anxious when you are busy being thankful. It’s a scientific fact, you cannot be thankful and worried at the same time. Choose thankful and worry will be gone!

Step 5: Think on the right things. You’ve probably heard the expression, “an idle mind is the devil’s playground” and it’s true. Never forget, the target of the devil is your mind and his weapons are his lies. Guard your heart the bible teaches us, guard your mind Paul exhorts us here. Even kids get the point, “Garbage in garbage out.” The apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 gives us a list of things to think about today.  Think about things that are true, things are noble, things are just, things are pure, things are lovely, things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—think on these things!  


Step 6: Put them into practice. This last step is most likely the difference between those who are experiencing the peace of God each day and those who are not. You see, loved one, it’s not just thinking the right things that will get you through a trial or a bad day. It’s putting them into practice. Thats why Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-27, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Let’s start today off right. Right now, no matter what is going on in your life rejoice in the Lord, be gentle, don’t be anxious, be prayerful, be thankful, and think the right things. It won’t just get through a bad day or season of life, you can begin to thrive! My hope, my prayer is that you have a great day as you do!


 
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16

I LOVE YOU!