Work + Health = Wealth + Joy

It’s Sunday afternoon, unwelcome thoughts of work invade your mind.  Your body tenses.  You pray for a minor natural disaster, for time to stop, or the world to end…anything to stop Monday from coming.  None of these events transpire.

The alarm rings, you attempt to burrow your way to oblivion in the mattress.  You fail.  You have to go to work.

Ever felt this way?

I came across an interesting verse in Ecclesiastes the other day that I thought I’d share.

"It is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it.  To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life - that is indeed a gift from God.  People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reason for joy"   Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 NLT

Work?  A reason for joy?  Well, let’s see…

Do I want to get up and go to work every day?  No, not really

Are the days stress filled?  Yes, most of the time

Do I work long hours that eat into my free time?  Yes

 

Here’s a reality check.  The “perfect” job doesn’t exist.  There are pros and cons to every work place.  The truth is most days my job as Sales Manager for a Christian radio station is crazy busy and filled with challenging scenarios. 

But with any job (and every situation) you have a choice.  You can choose how you view it. 

 

I can choose to see the long hours and hard work as drudgery that eats into my free time. 

Or...
I can choose to see the positive difference the hours I work make in the daily life of the people who report to me, and indirectly the positive impact my contribution to the company makes in the daily lives of the people who tune in every day to listen to our radio station.

I choose the latter.

I know it’s a huge struggle to be content in life’s circumstances.  And quite frankly a lot of people never make it to that point.

But like I said earlier… in every situation you choose. 

What about the health part of this scripture?  Here’s a simplistic example from my life this past weekend…

Right now glaciers of ice coat the streets and sidewalks, waiting to work their treachery on unsuspecting pedestrians.  I fell victim to one on Sunday…literally…crashing down in a flurry of flailing limbs to end up sprawled ungracefully on the sidewalk.

Today I feel like I started a new workout routine.  Muscles are tight and sore, but here’s the thing.  I’m grateful my body is able to absorb a fall like that.  I didn’t end up in the hospital with broken bones.  I can move around and still go for a run.  I choose the view point that it could have been a lot worse.

Wealth…

I realize Solomon is right, to have good health to enjoy life is a rare gift and it is to be cherished.  It is wealth.  A job that puts food on the table, a roof over my head, gas in the car, and clothes on my back is not to be taken for granted.  It is a blessing…a source of wealth.

Good health, good work, a wealth of blessings.  Choose to be grateful for what God gives.  This is the start of a joy-filled life.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Do you need an attitude adjustment?  Try looking at life from a different perspective by asking this question…What can I be grateful for in this situation?  Make a choice to see the positive.

Looking for some other posts on leading a contented life?  Check out...

Contented Living

The Christian's CEO

 

Luke 1:36-38 - Contagious Love

MEMORY VERSE:
“What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age!  People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God.’  Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant.  May everything you have said about me come true.’  And then the angel left her.” 
Luke 1:36-38  (NLT)

Today we lit the fourth candle on the advent wreath.  The candle symbolizing love.

How Mary loved God!  She gave her life to bear God’s son.  She says, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May everything you have said about me come true.”

Mary couldn’t foresee the pain she would endure in being Jesus’ mother.  But she did understand the trials she would face when her family and the community she lived in realized she was pregnant.

Despite her uncertain future, she gave up plans she had for her life to follow God’s plan.  She loved her God.

And how God loves us!  How Jesus loves us!  He gave up his kingdom in heaven to come to earth as a helpless child.  He grew up and endured scorn, ridicule, hatred, suffering, and death for us. 

Jesus gave up His life because He loves us.  How do we respond to a love that runs so deep it surpasses our understanding?

You can respond by choosing to ignore Jesus and deny His existence.  Or, you can respond with love.  Love for Jesus and love for God.

And here’s the cool thing…love is contagious!  When you respond to God with love, you find yourself responding to people all around you with love, too. 

Mary responded to the angel with love and sacrifice.  Jesus responded to us with love and sacrifice.

Christmas Day is just a few days away.  How will you respond to the helpless baby lying in a stable?

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’  Mary asked the angel, ‘But how can this happen?  I am a virgin.’  The angel replied, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.  What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age!  People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God.’  Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant.  May everything you have said about me come true.’  And then the angel left her.” 

Luke 1:30-38 (NLT)

Luke 1:34-35 - Conflicted Joy

MEMORY VERSE:

“Mary asked the angel, ‘But how can this happen?  I am a virgin.’  The angel replied, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”  Luke 1:34-35 (NLT)

 

 

 

Today we lit the third candle in the advent wreath…the candle of Joy.

As I read through these two scripture verses I wonder what Mary thought.  How many conflicted emotions raced through her mind?  Did she have cause to be joyful?

Earlier in verse 31 the angel tells her she’s going to conceive and give birth to a son.  Mary’s not stupid.  Now she asks “But how can this happen?  I am a virgin.” 

In her world a pregnancy outside of marriage is a death sentence.  And the sentence is carried out by stoning.  Why would she rejoice over this news?

But the angel continues his message and tells Mary, “So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”

Wow!  Two conflicting events…imminent death…and the birth of the promised Messiah.  How do you process that information?  How do you respond?

I suspect Mary felt a mixture of fear, anger, doubt, resentment, excitement, hope, and yes, even joy.  So often we hold joy in tension with other emotions in our lives.

 

Where are you today?  What conflicting emotions live in your heart?  Are there things you have cause to rejoice over even if life isn’t perfect?

• Your home
• Your family
• Your job
• Food on your table
• Time with friends
• A safe place to worship
• Your car
• An education
• A warm bed to sleep in
• Money to pay your bills

Your family may not be perfect.  You may not have the job of your dreams.  But if you dig deeply enough you’ll probably still find some reason to be joyful in this Advent season.

I pray for a little piece of joy to permeate each reader’s life this week.  May you receive it, recognize it, and rejoice in it.

God bless.

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.  Mary asked the angel, ‘But how can this happen?  I am a virgin.’  The angel replied, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”  Luke 1:30-35

Luke 1:32-33 - Preparation

MEMORY VERSE:

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”  Luke 1:32-33

 

 

It’s the second Sunday in the Advent season.  This morning we lit the candle of preparation.

What are you preparing for...Christmas?  And what is Christmas…A joyful time of celebrating a new birth?  But what if you don’t feel much like celebrating?

Perhaps your time of preparation this Christmas season isn’t for something as joyful as a new birth.

Maybe you’re preparing for a lay off from your job.  Perhaps you’re preparing to face the loss of someone very close to you who’s ill…a spouse, a sibling, or a child. 

 

Maybe you’re preparing to do battle against cancer, or depression, or anxiety.  Or perhaps you’re preparing to face the loss of your marriage, and with it, your hopes and dreams for the future.

This week I find myself reflecting back 29 years when my mother was preparing us (her family) to continue our lives without her.  She knew she was losing the daily battle for survival against what was then a deadly disease…lymphoma.

Being young, I was shielded from the details, but I imagine these weren’t preparations she wanted to make that Advent season.  She had a husband who loved her and three children, ages 15, 19, and 22, who she desperately wanted to see grow up into adulthood.

She knew that wasn’t going to happen, so she prepared by writing each of us a letter that would be given to us after she died.  She and Dad planned Christmas that year.  We would have Christmas whether she was there to share in it or not.

On December 10, 1983, she lost her battle, but the plans and preparations she made for our future continued.

Advent is a time of preparation.  The preparation you’re engaged in may not be pleasant.  But Advent is also a time of hope.  A time of finding light in the darkness.

I pray that all of you reading this today will find a ray of hope in your time of preparation this year.

God bless!

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.’  “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 

Luke 1:30-33  (ESV)

Luke 1:30-31 - Mysterious Yearnings

MEMORY VERSE:

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.’”  Luke 1:30-31 (ESV)

Snow falls, Christmas music plays, Starbucks is filled with shiny red mugs, decorations glitter on streets, and friends and family gather together.

Something dances like a tingling ball in the pit of my stomach.  (No it’s not irritable bowel) It’s a sensation of anticipation and of yearning.

Anticipation of what?

This is the first week of advent.  On Sunday, Christians around the world lit the first advent candle.  The candle of Hope.  Perhaps I’m yearning for hope in this world.

I wonder what Mary yearned for as she carried the Christ child in her womb.  Did she tingle with hope for the future as she awaited the birth of her miracle baby? 

The words from the song, “Mary Did You Know” resonate in this season. 

 

Take a few quiet moments to think about this song.  Let your imagination carry you into the mind of a frightened young mother waiting for the birth of an unknown child.

How could she have any idea of this baby’s future?

“Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to the blind man?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby you kissed the face of God?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect lamb?

The sleeping child you’re holding is the Great, I Am.” (See reference for lyrics below)

These words send shivers up my spine.  How could she have known? 

I wonder, if she did know what was to come in her son’s life, would she have had the courage to say, “Yes” to the angel when he told her God’s plan?

If we knew everything we'd face in our lives would we have the courage to carry on?  Perhaps it’s best not to know everything. 

Like Mary, God prepares us for what is to come by gradually revealing His plan for our lives.  He helps us grow and mature so we’re ready to face the challenges when they do come.

Advent is a time of anticipation, a time of waiting, a time of hoping, a time of wondering, a time of reflection.  There’s a sense of mystery in the air.  Something we can’t quite completely understand, but something we yearn for deep inside.

I pray that you find hope in this season of mysterious yearning. 

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.’” 

Luke 1:30-31 (ESV)

 

 

Lyrics for "Mary Did You Know" taken from A-Z Lyrics - Clay Aiken Lyrics.  Song originally written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/clayaiken/marydidyouknow.html .  

1 Chronicles 29:11 - Who's Running This World?

MEMORY VERSE:
“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty.  Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom.  We adore You as the one who is over all things.” 
1 Chronicles 29:11 (NLT)

Does God really have power over all things?  Consider a few headlines from this week…

• “Israel Intensifies Attacks Despite Peace Talks”
• “$2M in Christmas Toys Missing from Salvation Army”
• “Body of Turkish Ex-Leader Shows Signs of Poisoning”
• “At U.S. Public Meeting Fights Over Prayer Drag On”
• “Bomb in Damascus Refugee Camp Kills Four”
• “Child Soldiers On Front Lines of Congo Conflict”
• “Radio Host Calls Montreal Jewish Population Annoying”

Injustice screams in bold capital letters from newspaper and internet headlines.  It infiltrates our backyards – murder on our city streets, teenage prostitutes in the down town core, babies on the streets with homeless parents, meth labs, grow ops…I could keep going but I don’t think I need to beleaguer the point.

This past weekend I was visiting my step-mother in Manitoba where we attended her church, MacGregor United.  It was a traditional worship service and I enjoyed the older hymns as a change from contemporary worship music.

I found the words from the hymn, “This Is My Father’s World” particularly encouraging…

“This is my Father’s world.  O let me ne’er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.”

At times I find myself doubtful about who’s really running this world and I ask hard questions.  “Does God know what’s going on down here?”  “Does He care?”  “Has He given up on us?”

I find hope though when I read scripture verses like 1 Chronicles 29:11, and sing the reassuring words from hymns like, “This is My Father’s World”.

Yes, God knows!  Yes, He cares! No, He hasn’t given up!

Evil still roams over the earth BUT this world is GOD’S kingdom.  We may not see it.  At times we even find it difficult to believe.  But regardless of what we read in the headlines God still is in control. 

The hymn says, “Jesus Who died shall be satisfied, and earth and Heav’n be one.”  We’re still on the front lines of the battle but we know the outcome. 

Jesus already conquered sin and death and one day evil and injustice will be a thing of the past.

Things To Think About:

Do we have reason to hope despite the dismal daily headlines?  Share your thoughts by clicking on “comments” below.

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty.  Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom.  We adore You as the one who is over all things.”  1 Chronicles 29:11 (NLT)

Psalm 118:24 - Difficult Rejoicing

MEMORY VERSE:

“This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24 (NLT)

In psalm 118 the psalmist rejoices over the things God has done for him.  Sometimes rejoicing comes naturally.  Other times it’s as foreign as eating chocolate covered cockroaches.  We can’t summon up the enthusiasm or energy to even attempt to rejoice.

Some days are difficult from the time you open your eyes in the morning to the time you close them at night.  There are many reasons for difficult days.

Maybe you’re grieving the loss of a family member or friend.  Maybe you’re feeling the effects of the chemotherapy or radiation treatments.  Maybe you’re desperate to help a depressed teenager.  Maybe you’ve lost your job and feel you’ve let down your family. 

I think of this verse, “this is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it” when I sing Matt Redmond’s worship song, “Ten Thousand Reasons”.  Think about these words…

“The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes…”

What incredible lyrics!  On the grey days when I don’t feel like rejoicing there’s a prayer I need to proclaim.  Whatever happens during the day, I pray that at the end of it, I’ll still be able to say without a doubt, “God is good”.   I pray that I’ll be thankful for His presence and provision throughout the day.

Things To Think About:

Are you having trouble rejoicing?  Listen to Matt Redmond’s song, “Ten Thousand Reasons” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E .  Pray to God and remind yourself of His provision and blessing.  Can you find a reason to rejoice in the midst of difficulty?  Share your thoughts by clicking on “comments” below.

“This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24 (NLT)

Colossians 3:23-24 - The Christian's CEO

MEMORY VERSE:

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”  Colossians 3:23-24 (NLT)

Do you struggle out of bed every morning, reluctantly drag your feet into the office, and put in a dismal day just to collect a pay cheque?  Or, do you get up anticipating what lies ahead, enjoy your work, and thrive on the challenges it presents?

Let’s be honest.  No one enjoys their work 100% of the time.  There are times in my job when I can’t satisfy my customers, I fall short of my employer’s expectations, and I make mistakes.

Last week I took a phone call from a customer who burst into tears on the phone.  She had a deadline to meet, was stressed beyond belief, and the product we shipped didn’t meet her deadline requirements.

This phone call came four hours into a fourteen hour drive.  I parked on the side of the highway, connected my laptop to the internet via a rocket stick, and did everything within my power to resolve her problem. 

Did I enjoy that day?  No!  Why did I do it?  Because it was the right thing to do for the customer!

If you’re working in a ministry role it’s fairly easy to remember you’re serving God on a daily basis.  What about those of us who don’t work in ministry?  Are we still serving God every day?

The scripture from Colossians answers this question.  Yes, regardless of what your job is…serving food, cleaning toilets, pumping gas, closing business deals, greeting customers, trading stocks…you’re serving God.  You honour God when you commit your best to the job you’ve been given.

Tomorrow morning, if you came into work and found Jesus sitting behind the CEO’s desk, what would your attitude be?  Would you complain your way through the day or would you go out of your way to do the best work possible?

When you’re constantly whining and complaining to your colleagues, what kind of message do you send about your Christian faith?  Is that how you want to represent Jesus?

If you’re a Christian, Jesus is CEO of your life, regardless of your position in the company or whose name is at the top of the organizational chart.  We serve Him by doing the best we can, where ever we are. 

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

We are representing Christ to the world.  A big part of our world is our daily work.  Are you giving Jesus the absolute best you can every day?  What message about the Christian faith are you sending the world by your actions at work?

Share your thoughts by clicking on “comments” below.

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”  Colossians 3:23-24 (NLT)

Psalm 90:12 - Life's Priorities

MEMORY VERSE:

“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (NLT)  Psalm 90:12

Psalm 90 is attributed to Moses.  In this psalm Moses appreciates just how short our lives are in the overall “big picture” of creation.  He says if we understand this concept we will use the time we have on earth wisely.

I think Moses understands what it means to use his time wisely.  He demonstrates this as he nears the end of his life.

“One day the Lord said to Moses, ‘Climb one of the mountains east of the river, and look out over the land I have given the people of Israel.  After you have seen it, you will die like your brother Aaron, for you both rebelled against my instructions in the wilderness of Zin...’”  Numbers 27:12-14 (NLT)

Moses has lived a long, productive life and now knows his death is imminent.  How does Moses respond?  Does he mope?  Does he withdraw from his leadership role?  Does he lash out at God?

“Then Moses said to the Lord, ‘O Lord, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures.  Please appoint a new man as leader for the community.  Give them someone who will guide them wherever they go and will lead them into battle, so the community of the Lord will not be like sheep without a shepherd.’”  Numbers 27:15-17 (NLT)

Moses’ first concern is the leadership of the people.  He immediately goes into succession planning mode.  He’s wants the Israelite nation to have a godly man to lead them into the Promised Land.

What does he do next?  Moses continues in his leadership role.  He addresses the people of Israel reminding them who they are, where they’ve come from and where they’re going, how they got there, and how they’re to live their lives in dedication to God.  His last act is to bestow a blessing on the people of Israel.

We can equate the verses in Numbers 27 as the equivalent of reviewing test results with your doctor, only to find out you have six months to live.  How would you react?  How would I react? 

I suspect I wouldn’t handle this news quite as well as Moses.  Moses sets an extraordinary example of how to die well, but I also like to take this as a lesson in living well. 

I don’t know how long I’ll live.  Like Moses, I’d like enough wisdom to realize life is short.  I’d like the ability to discern the important things to accomplish before it’s too late.

Are you doing things that would be most important to you if you knew how short life was going to be?  Are there dreams or goals you’ve ignored, thinking you’ll get to them “one day”? 

Are you so busy with the stuff of daily life that you don’t have time for the bigger things...

• time with your spouse
• time with your children
• building relationships with friends and neighbours
• painting
• writing your book
• sharing your journey of faith
• going on a mission trip
• spending time at the soup kitchen or homeless shelter
• visiting your sick relative

Fill in your own blanks.  What are you NOT doing that you’d like to be?  What really matters in your life?

Share your thoughts by clicking on “comments” below.

“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (NLT)  Psalm 90:12

Isaiah 26:3-4 - Carrion Crows - Worry, Anxiety, Panic

MEMORY VERSE:

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you.  Trust in the Lord forever for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”  Isaiah 26:3-4 (NLT)

I’ve written about the importance of spending time in God’s presence in previous posts.  (Check out Mysterious Peace for some words from the apostle, Paul) Apparently I don’t listen to my own advice because I needed a refresher course in peaceful living last week.

I’ve been on an extended work trip in the province of Manitoba.  I had nine days of early morning starts, long driving times interspersed with customer meetings, and evenings spent responding to a flurry of accumulated email.

When I’m not travelling I get up early to work out and spend quiet time with God.  When I’m on a road trip I want to make efficient use of my time, seeing as many customers as I can.  My scheduled quiet time is sacrificed in favour of getting on the road by 6:30 or 7:00 a.m.

Here’s the problem.  I can maintain this pace for a while, but if you keep burning the candle at both ends, eventually the ends meet in the middle, and your fingers get scorched. 

I’ve struggled with anxiety and panic attacks in the past.  Periodically, like a carrion crow swooping down on road kill, panic comes back to feed when I’m in a weakened state. 

I was reminded of this last week as I sat in a hotel room struggling to ward off anxiety and an impending panic attack.  Not exactly my idea of a pleasant evening!

On the plane home for a four day hiatus (before returning to continue the trip for another ten days) I was reading Max Lucado’s book, “Great Day Every Day”.  The following statement flashed on the page like a bright neon sign, “No one can pray and worry at the same time.  When we worry, we aren’t praying.  When we pray we aren’t worrying.” (Page 49)

It’s a thought provoking statement that served as a much needed reminder.  Sometimes I wonder why I schedule myself as I do.  It goes back to one of those “it seemed like a good idea at the time” thoughts.

Reading Isaiah 26:3-4 and Max Lucado’s statement gave me the “kick in the backside” reminder that often our priorities get twisted. 

We need to take time every day to re-focus our thoughts on God.  When we do, the carrion crows of worry, anxiety, and panic find us equipped to handle daily challenges.  Their attempts to peck at our minds are repelled because we’re focused on God’s peace.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

Is your mind fixed on God?  Do you trust Him as your everlasting rock?  Do you need to re-focus your mind on Him to find His peace today?

Share your thoughts by clicking on “comments” below.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you.  Trust in the Lord forever for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”  Isaiah 26:3-4 (NLT)

Lamentations 3:21-23 - Bad Days

MEMORY VERSE:

But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is Your faithfulness. (ESV)  Lamentations 3:21-23

Remember the song “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter?  It was played one season on American Idol when a contestant was eliminated.

“...‘Cause you had a bad day, you’re taking one down

You sing a sad song just to turn it around...”

What about the lyrics from the theme song to the sitcom “Friends”?

“...well it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year...”

Do you feel that way? 

We all have bad days.  The cause might be work, family, health, money, or relationships.  And sometimes those days do go on for weeks, months, or even years.

During these times it’s tempting to shut out the world, curl up in your fuzzy robe and slippers, and throw yourself a pity party.  I wonder if the author of Lamentations started out writing in fuzzy robe and slippers. 

He may have started out attired in the comfort of fuzziness, but soon realized he couldn’t stay this way.  In the midst of his lament he understands he’s not alone.  The people of Israel aren’t abandoned.  God is still there, faithful in love, mercy, and grace. 

If you’re having a bad day that won’t go away, remember we have cause to hope.  Even in the midst of our worst sorrows and trials God never stops loving us and He never abandons us.  God is with us every morning, even on our bad days, bringing us mercy and grace. 

What does that look like? 

It could be a visit from a friend, a “thinking of you” card in the mail, a phone call from a family member, the strength to get out of bed, relief from pain, patience with a child, another day of work, a surprise cheque in the mail...the list is endless.

God’s mercies aren’t limited.  He knows what you need, when you need it.  That is cause to hope.   Praise be to God!

Things To Think About...

What sends you scurrying for your fuzzy robe and slippers?  What mercies does God bring to you during those times?  Share your thoughts by clicking on “comments” below.

But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;  His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness (ESV)

Lamentations 3:21-23