Goodness Gracious: 14 Unfiltered Devotions for This Sometimes-Too-Serious LifeSample

The Worst Day Ever

This is the day the LORD has made; let's rejoice and be glad in it. PSALM 118:24 CSB

This is just the worst day ever!” my 6-year-old son wailed. We had just pulled into the parking lot of our local pizza arcade, only to discover it was closed due to construction. His dreams were shattered. This meant he couldn’t play rigged games with a greasy marinara sauce smile in a germy room that smells like dirty socks. So, yes, naturally for him, this was the worst day ever.

Fast forward to a different day. “I can’t. I just can’t with today,” I said in frustration. It was one of those days where nothing went right. I woke up with a massive zit on my chin, got in a stupid argument with my husband over if humans can use dog shampoo, and found a massive hole in the crotch of my leggings (after my Pilates class was already over). So, yes, naturally for me, it felt like the worst day ever.

Is it ever really “the worst day ever” though? Goodness gracious, of course not! Negative emotions and flawed perspectives can overexaggerate the way we feel about many things. However, each day is a masterpiece created by God specifically for us. The day isn’t what is bad; rather, our imperfect responses can cause things to feel worse than it actually is. When we release control to God on days like this instead of allowing our flawed feelings to dictate our reactions, He reveals His goodness in the middle of the mess.

When you start to feel exasperated, disappointed, or crushed during a given day, do these things:

• Open up God’s Word. The living, breathing Word of God renews the mind in a powerful way. It will loosen the grip we have on our flawed perspectives and shift our focus toward things that are good and true.

• Examine your own heart. Let go of self-centeredness, offense, and anger. Embracing humility and forgiveness brings overwhelming joy!

• Find a way to serve others without expecting anything in return. Choosing to be a blessing allows God to move freely in your life and in the lives of others.

His plans for you, today and forever, are always good!

Lord, I choose to rejoice in this day You created. No matter what has happened, I lift my hands in gratefulness and total surrender. Keep refining me. Amen.