Help for the Crummy Days

We talk a lot about suffering. How will we react? What are we to do? What can we do now to be ready for the tragedy that may come?

But often it’s the daily stresses of life that grind us down. God is our rock in times of tragedy—yes and amen—but he’s also our rock in the days that are just crummy: the day the teenager comes home with the bad report card. The month where you and your husband seem to be continually getting on each other's nerves. The week when the entire family endures the stomach flu.

Each has her own problems and temptations, but the answer for each is the same. God is in charge He knows what he’s doing. He allowed it, and he will give you what you need to get through it.

I would not presume or imply that the crummy day is the same as the tragedy. The degree of pain, the distress, the grief and emotions vary greatly. Even though the pain is different, the answer is the same.

We need to cling to God in the midst of devastation, but we also need to cling to him in the crummy days, too.

The key is to remember to do so. We often get caught up in the emotion of the event before we can start thinking of the answer.

We need to have our minds prepared for these days. Let’s face it, you can’t prepare for the life-altering tragedy (that’s what makes it life-altering). You’ll know immediately that you’re out of your depth. But we all have the “blah” days—lots of them—and we need to learn to rejoice in them.

Not that I have mastered this—not even close. When things start going wrong, the irritation comes blasting to the surface before I realize it. It's a constant battle to remember God, remember his goodness, and remember his love for me.

He is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). And help for the crummy days, too.