Yesterday started out fairly normal and seemed to be a decent day. Then I stopped for my first appointment of the day and things were not starting well, as a young 1 year old child I was there to see was having trouble calming down from coughing fits he was having. His mother was on the phone with some medical professionals and I stayed a bit to talk and reassure them of what to watch for, as he had been in the hospital a couple times in the past few weeks. It was not a great way to start the day, and I prayed for this little guy and his family on my drive to my next appointment. My next several visits went fairly normal, but I also had several other issues hanging in the background that needed resolved as well and I was working on and trying to figure those out through the day. Then later in the afternoon, I had a few delays and several other setbacks that don’t normally happen with fairly routine things through the evening and somehow felt I was running into resistance and that the ‘world seemed against me’ for a time. Maybe it was coincidence or a mindset of looking for things to go wrong, but a lot of situations combined to make what appeared to be a ‘bad day.’ There were no major disasters, but just several things that just combined to make things feel a little gloomy. What do you do when you have a bad day?
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
One way I have dealt with troubles, unwanted surprises, and discouragement is to play the ‘it could always be worse’ game and remind myself that things are not always as bad as they initially seem. I was thankful that my vehicle was working, that my family was all doing well and that I had a job, as those things are not always guaranteed either. Its not even as bad as Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, as some kids come to learn through reading. Even when things don’t seem to be going our way, we may just need an attitude adjustment, or simply to count our blessings and look for the good things that are happening at the same time. Its not always our initial inclination, but is something that does help when things are not going well. What are some ways that you deal with adversity?
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Often, when we encounter difficulties, trauma, health issues, death, and other major challenges, looking to the normal things in life can help us get through these things. Those people that support and encourage us, our faith, health professionals, and other reminders to keep going each day are all helpful in bringing us out of some seasons of darkness we may face. These challenges can also seemingly bring us further from God when we question why bad things seem to be happening, or they can bring us to a deeper dependence on Him when we trust Him to see us through these difficulties. Has your faith grown deeper when life is going well, or when you face challenges? May you continue to grow in your faith through all the seasons of your life!
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Yours in Christ,
Clark
