What We Must Do When the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Days Come

This morning I walked into the kitchen to get a drink of water. As I turned on the faucet I noticed tiny black sugar ants attacking a spilled drop of Kool-aid. I followed their trail up to the window, where they had somehow found an invisible entrance into my home on their quest for something sweet to drink.


They were very intentional about their target. Militant in their traveling, one by one they followed suit with a common purpose: Identify and attack. Aggressive and unified in their consuming, it was impossible to know what they had found until my interference caused them to scatter.

Just like these ants, the enemy of our soul is on a mission. He is looking for even the tiniest crack which might provide entry into our lives – our heart, our mind, our emotions.

Have you ever noticed that when you have a negative thought or a day that is starting out a little less than perfect, that once we choose to dwell on the bad it seems to multiply? Once we meditate on that negative thought or give in to our circumstances, it’s all downhill from there.

The other day proved to be just such a day for me. And really, I know better.

I started the day not feeling well. Sparing you the details, let’s just say that I didn’t get out of bed for even a drink of water until 3:00 P.M.

My day (and my state of mind) got progressively worse. As I considered how terrible I felt, I began to also have thoughts of how much I needed to get done and how it would probably never happen. I was bombarded with negative thoughts one right after another. Doubts about everything. And it all started from a tummy ache. (Sounds so silly now…)

The enemy of my soul had found a crack and gained entry into my thoughts…in like a flood and on a mission to devour its target: Me.

(And I KNOW the scripture that says to cast down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ….2 Cor. 10:5)

Let me tell ya…this Christian walk is not for wimps.

The easy (and dangerous) thing to do would be to stay right there in that place, agreeing with all the lies being spoken and acting on them emotionally. Seriously, it would take no effort to do such.

But I cannot afford to do that (nor do I want to).

And neither can you.

The Bible says in 1 Samuel that David encouraged himself in the Lord. You can safely say that he was having a bad day, but instead of becoming a victim of his circumstances, he chose to gather strength from God.

Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him,…But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. ~1 Samuel 30:6

Most of us won’t have to face an angry crowd ready to stone us, but at times it might feel like the stones are already being thrown. Our heart, our mind, our emotions can be susceptible to discouragement… especially if we provide a way of entry.

We must refuse to give in.

We must encourage ourselves in the Lord.

After wallowing in doubt and discouragement for a few hours, I began to remind myself what the Word of truth says. I began to praise God for His goodness and mercy and draw on His strength when I felt depleted.

His strength really is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).

He really is our support.

He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. ~Psalm 18:16-19

He gives us what we need for whatever circumstance we may find ourselves in.

For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. ~Psalm18:39

We must open our Bible and read.

We must open our mouth and praise.

We must open our heart and receive.

We must take every thought captive.

We must encourage ourselves in the Lord.

Even on those terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days, our God is always greater.

Our circumstances may change, but He never does.

Refuse to give in.  Embrace all that God has already given you and use it to accomplish the things He has called you to do.