Do you ever get up and dread facing the day? Sometimes we have situations that go against everything we really want to do. The whole point of the day becomes a blur as you maneuver your way through all those obstacles of life. There is a way to deal with those kinds of days. Keep your mind focused on what is real. You have been blessed with a new day to live, and a new opportunity to live out your designed purpose from God. This is the day that the Lord made, and we are told to rejoice in it.
Psalm 118:24 “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
When you are dealing with a co-worker, a customer, a patient, or whomever, speak Jesus’ name. No matter what my situation I have learned to talk to him while I am talking to others. I know as a Christian, his Holy Spirit lives within me. Therefore, he is always with me. I can have my own personal conversation without saying an audible word. Just acknowledging that he is there can bring a peace to your soul. Later you can rehash the day with him in a more extensive prayer. Don’t allow Satan to influence your attitude that will give a negative opinion about Christ.
Philippians is a great book to read when those days of life come. It is full of joy, but the joy is not based on the circumstances. In Philippians 2:10, Jesus is exalted and every knee will bow before Him one day. His very name is enough to bring Kings and rulers to their knees. Yet, in verses 2:6-8 we see His willingness to give up his home in Heaven to become a man. A man that was not rich with all the pomp and circumstance of royalty. No, he lowered himself to become a servant. The word used in verse 7, “reputation” in the Greek, means he emptied himself. He laid aside his rank and dignity. He became as nothing for a period of time for us. Remember with whom you are speaking . No other name can be compared to His! In all the universe it stands alone. He is the only Redeemer, Savior, the Anointed of God, the only Christ, and the only Son of God. His rank, His titles, His dignity, are above all others. In all the world there is none to compare, and if you are a Christian He is yours and you are His.
Philippians 2:6-11 “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Now for those of you who are determined to be a “Negative Nellie,” you may say, “this isn’t my designed purpose by God.” You are probably right. I do believe that we will be happiest when in the perfect will God has for our lives, but the fact remains you are in this situation now. How you got there is irrelevant now. When we have a situation we have no control over, we have two choices. One, we can be miserable and count down the hours, or we can seek ways to make it better. You, with God’s help, can change your attitude. Ask God to teach you through this difficult time and use you to His glory. If you do not feel this is where you are supposed to be, start making a plan to change. It may take months for you to work a plan for a better situation, but during the process stop wasting your life being miserable, and probably making others miserable too.
I’m reminded of Nobel Alexander, a preacher who was thrown into prison under circumstances that makes me sick to my stomach, and brings me to tears to think about. Yet, this man chose to be a positive influence for Christ. Beaten, starved, forced to work in raw sewage with open sores, he continued to be a witness to those he encountered. He was moved from cell to cell because each time he was placed with a different group of men his passion for Christ would spread, and the cells became a little church in action. This man did not allow His circumstances to rob him of his joy in Christ. He continued to pray, work and hope.
Remember you are His and you are to reflect Him. Even in situations, we don’t want, we can give Him glory.
Isaiah 43:1 “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.”
