This Day

The past few days I have been feeling…off, down, frustrated, irritated, overwhelmed, depressed, just not myself. That’s a lot of feelings, and yes, I was feeling them all, sometimes all at the same time. No reason why, that I can think of. Do you ever have days like that, literally days, like that? What do you do when that happens to you? 

I could complain to others. That might bring temporary relief, or it might make me feel worse. It certainly won’t help the person I complain to.

Stay in bed all day. That sounds wonderful, especially on those days when it is so hard to get up. For just one day, forget my responsibilities and enjoy the whole day in my comfy cozy bed. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Not doing anything for a whole day? Although, that means so much more to do tomorrow or the next day…a snowball effect. I guess that is not an option in my already busy life.

What about shopping therapy? Walk the malls and buy stuff that makes me feel better. Or stay home and shop online. I could even shop online from my cozy bed. Win, win, but not really. It might only bring temporary relief. 

Cry. I really good, body shaking, uncontrollable cry. I haven’t done that in a very long time. It sounds exhausting. I’ll skip that option. 

How do I get out of this emotional slump? What can I do? Where can I go?

“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2, NASB1995) Look up. Stop looking at everything that is not going right. Look up and see God and His amazing creation. You may not live where you can see the mountains, but you can watch the sunrise and remember God’s greatness and His faithfulness. 

My help comes from the Lord. Those words are so comforting to me. When we take the focus off of ourselves and focus on God and His goodness, the negative thoughts and feelings start to fade. 

“This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24, NASB1995).

This verse was written in the midst of adversity. Yet the author still wrote these words, rejoice and be glad. He knew God’s greatness and that God would be with him in through the difficulties he was facing. How amazing is that? No matter what is going on in my life, I have so many reasons to rejoice. I may feel blah, but God is good. He is faithful. 

This day, today, this very day, God has made for us to live and enjoy. To be the best we can be and not just exist. Rejoice and be glad in it! Be thankful for at least one thing.

As the sun rises to begin a new day, so too we should rise and begin the day with a new outlook. Today is a blessing from God…it’s a beautiful thing.