Psalm 70:1 “Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD.”
It was Thursday night of a super busy week. On Monday I had spent time with family, and worked overnight finishing a job. Tuesday I met with the Governor and elected officials at a Pastor’s Forum. Wednesday I taught two classes in college, preached CBC chapel then ran our teen programs from 3-7PM before attending Bible Study.
Thursday was filled with catch up work and prep for a big weekend. We had a Teen Fundraiser Friday and Saturday to finish. I sat down on the couch and a few minutes after 9 a call came in…
My Dad died. Unexpected, undesired and unmatched in my life. It was a bad day. Maybe the Worst. What do you do on a bad day? Whether something serious such as the death of a loved one, the illness of a friend or an accident involving either, what do you do? For some of you, a relatable day may be more of losing or breaking a posession or prized item. For others, it may just be that you made a bad decision, a mistake or a mess of things. Regardless, what do you do on your worst day?
James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. Knowing this, that the trying of faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.The best thing you can do is pause. Take a minute, an hour, a day.. or the generally recommended two days and process what is going on. This will help you to act instead of react. Decisions and conversations made in emotion are often regretted. Take time to think about the situation and then make a determined decision instead of a random reaction.
1. Pray
Psalm 103:13-14 “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; He remebereth that we are dust.
I Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” The Lord wants to bear your burdens, carry your cares, know your needs, but most of all He wants to hear your prayers. Tell God about it. Tell Him everything. Let him lead and guide you and give you strength that you do not have. Pray and tell God about you bad day and all of the feelings and consequences that go along with.
2. Principle
After you pause and pray, find a principle in the Word of God to help you with this day. Maybe it’s a Proverb, a Psalm, a Bible story or character. Whatever the case, find you a Bible Principle to cling to during this hard time. Psalm 91 is a powerful one. Psalm 91:1-2 “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” You can read the rest of the chapter (it’s all good). But God is our God, our fortress and our refuge, in Him we trust. Our fleshly, weak minds don’t always think that way, but the reinforcement of a Bible Principle can encourage a Spiritual mindset.
3. Pals
I Thess 5:11 “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”
After talking to the Lord, it would be good to talk to some close friends. My recommendation would be to start with your Pastor, your spouse and then move to your close friends. All of these people love you and will want to help in any way possible. If you are having a rough day as a YP, contact a YP. If you are a having a rough day as a dad, contact a dad. If you are having a rough day as a husband, contact a friend who is married. Just as the New Testament churches were a help to one another in support and comfort, so should we be to each other when someone is having a bad day.
4. Persevere
One of the greatest human examples of this that I know is 3 Avelar ladies. Their bad day was the worst. In one day, dad, sons, and brothers all went to Heaven. These 3 ladies, enduring tremendous grief, just kept going. They sang, served, went soul winning and supported others, all the while dealing with the worst day in their lives.
Whatever your bad day has brought you, know this, it should not stop you. Paul told Timothy about the last days and how bad of a day it was going to be. Then he told him how to react to those bad days… “Continue”. Pause, pray, grab a principle, call a Pal, and decide that you will Persevere. You will find that after this dark night, there is a brighter day.
William Davis | Assistant Pastor
Clays Mill Baptist Church | Lexington, KY
