I was having one of those days.

 

Nothing seemed to go right. It started with a trash can lid disappearing after the pick-up. The company said another one would be delivered in about a week. A week? Where do we put the trash? Every hour afterward seemed to bring more bad news: numerous phone calls with churches and pastors having problems, a minor accident, all small issues by themselves but cumulatively, it was amounting to a disappointing, tiring, frustrating, exasperating… very, very bad day.

 

The next morning, Mell and I read a devotion from: “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young.

 

The first sentence: “Welcome problems as perspective lifters.”

 

First came a nervous giggle, then the laughter in waves that couldn’t be stopped. Talk about a heavenly prompting from God. After regaining composure we continued reading:

 

“My children tend to sleepwalk through their days until they bump into an obstacle that stymies them. If you encounter a problem with no immediate solution, your response to that situation will take you either up or down. You can lash out at the difficulty, resenting it and feeling sorry for yourself. This will take you down into a pit of self-pity.”

 

It’s not unusual to have bad days. Some are worse than others but we all have them. What is important: How do we handle ourselves in the midst of difficulties?  Can we avoid the pit of self-pity? Are we able to maintain perspective? Can we visualize God in the midst of the problems alongside us?

 

“Welcome problems as perspective lifters.”

 

Sarah Young’s devotion continued: “Alternatively, the problem can be a ladder, enabling you to climb up and see your life from My perspective. Viewed from above, the obstacle that frustrated you is only a light and momentary trouble. Once your perspective has been heightened, you can look away from the problem altogether.”

 

Problems can either weigh us down or serve as a ladder providing a higher perspective. Obstacles that seemed insurmountable before now look more manageable. With our newfound perspective we ask: What can we learn? Where is God? How can we appreciate good days?

 

“Welcome problems as perspective lifters.”

 

“Jesus Calling” concluded: “Turn toward Me and see the Light of My Presence shining upon you.”

 

The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we can fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.”

 

In the midst of very bad days…

  • Don’t lose heart.
  • We are being renewed.
  • Momentary troubles lead to eternal glory.
  • Fix your eyes on what is unseen.

 

“Welcome problems as perspective lifters.”

 

This morning, I learned to laugh in the midst of my obstacles and struggles. More importantly, I learned that God is well aware of what I am going through and has provided comfort to see me through.

 

Thank you God for a perspective lifter and for giving me a chance to laugh. Amen.