On any given day, I am sure there are moments when you say ‘this is terrible’ or maybe you feel frustrated with how things are going at your job or in your life. You may hear the news and become discouraged with the state of affairs on any number of issues. During that same day, you may also experience a closeness to God through his Word, or the beauty of creation, or the kindness shown to you by a friend or a stranger, or any number of things. There are a multitude of experiences and feelings that may lead us to decreeing that we are having a ‘bad day’ or a ‘great day.’ Its all fairly subjective. How are things going today?
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18
I had a professor in college who often would as us to take a ‘reality check’ when we would feel overwhelmed with understanding material or life in general. It was often good to stop griping and complaining to take a step back and look at the big picture to help get perspective on things. Do you ever do that? Maybe you take a break from a project when you are getting frustrated and things are not working out so you can get an attitude adjustment or start again with a new perspective. Maybe you even ask God for guidance or a little help seeing things as you should. This might be part of the component of ‘pray continually’ that on the surface would seem impossible to do. Maybe just going through life with an open line of communication with God on your heart and mind is all that is needed. Talking out loud through the day may not always be necessary, but could prove helpful at times.
So, I hope your day goes well, in the sense that you keep an open communication with God and with others, who can help you get through tough situations, rejoice with you when things are going well, and allow you to grow in patience in any and every circumstance. It is easy to react or overreact when all you are concerned with is how things relate to me and my needs. If everything isn’t going my way, I can feel slighted when something happens to disrupt things. Selfishness makes us defensive , quick to anger, and capable of many a nefarious deed if we let it guide us. At the end of the day, make a list of experiences and things you are thankful for that have happened over the past day. Do an inventory of your life and take a reality check on where things are and where you should be headed the next day. It will help make each day a Great Day!
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:4-5
Blessings,
Clark
