We typically define a good day based on how life is going or how we feel. So if circumstances are tough, we say our day is bad. If the kids drove us crazy, the day was hard. If the dog ate the couch or the car bit the dust, it was horrible.

What’s more, whether our mood is good or bad also determines the goodness or badness of our day.

Life is tough sometimes. For some, life is difficult all the time.

Here’s the question: is it possible to have a good day despite not-so-good experiences and circumstances?

Here are some ways to make a bad day great:

• Focus on the Who more than the what. Keep your eyes on God no matter what and he’ll give you perspective. No problem we face is eternal, only God is. No situation is without end. God is forever. Nothing you face is beyond him, a surprise to him, or bigger than him. Fix your heart on Jesus. It’s amazing how this simple step brings clarity and peace.

• Choose to believe that something bigger and better can happen in you despite the challenges around you. Do you believe that God is at work in your life? Do you believe that he is good even when life is bad? Will you choose to believe that he is able to redeem, restore, and renew anything surrendered to him?

• Make up your mind to be thankful in all things even when you aren’t thankful for all things. Don’t underestimate the power of thankfulness. Not only am I suggesting we choose to believe God is always at work in our lives, but I’m advocating thankfulness as a way of life.

• Make the choice to affect your environment, not just reflect it. Don’t get moody, blue, grumpy and ugly when your world gets cold; instead, do or say something that brings godly and positive change.

May I pray for you?

God, may we meditate on you and focus our minds and hearts on what is pure, faultless and right. Even when our circumstances threaten to crush us, we know we can trust you to work for our benefit. Thank you for taking care of us, for teaching us, and for loving us. Amen.

“I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies”

Philippians 4:8-9

{Note: This post is an excerpt from my devotional book, Perfectly Imperfect – A Devotional for Grace-filled Living.}

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