Worst day = Best Gift

Ever had that day that you wish never existed? That day that is forever etched in your memory as the day that you so confidently described as “your. Worst. Day. Ever!” That day that when you think things can’t get any worse….they do!!!

The realization is that many times these days can seem to pile up with one day seemingly out doing the other!

OK lets be honest, in the midst of our worst day, many of the words that I will share today aren’t exactly what we WANT to hear BUT it’s what we NEED to hear.

The truth is many of our bad days are for our own good! That’s right many of the trials we face are only preparation for great things ahead!! I know many of you are probably thinking….GREAT…. I am going to have A LOT of great things ahead because my “bad days” are abundant!  Well, maybe so. Take heart!

John 16:33 (Jesus speaking to his very own disciples) “ I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I am reminded of the account in God’s Word about Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego. (Just their names alone are a trial to say J)  These three had a really “bad day” or so it seemed. They were told to bow down before the ungodly image, and everything would be alright. If not, they would be thrown into the blazing furnace.

Certainly, no one likes to think they will need to walk through the fire! They could see smoke rising from the furnace. In this moment, they could have thought “what will one bow to an idol hurt”? BUT they chose to remember the Words of God that said “You shall not make for yourself an idol….you shall not bow down to them or worship them”.

They decided even though the fire raged ahead they would trust God. They knew the God they served was with them and they could trust Him.  Hotter & Hotter the fire grew! They were thrown in!

Three were thrown into the fire but FOUR men were walking around in the fire!! They were unbound and unharmed!

Their “bad day” in the fire turned out to be the very place at which God showed himself mighty!  Everyone gathered close to see. Not even a hair on their head was singed! No smell of fire on them! Many turned to God and God used it to speak to the hearts of His people in days of bondage.

I have 3 thoughts for you today.

1.    

    Can you identify with this “bad day”!? Maybe you feel as though you are in a really rough season. Your own fire! Don’t bow to the idols! Remember they could have chosen to take just “one bow” but they did not! They chose to remember the words of the Lord! (Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.)

(Deut 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you, He will never leave you nor forsake you.)

2.   Ask God to help you know that He is with you.  In all things God’s purpose is for us to grow & become more like Christ!                   1Peter 1:6-7(TLB) So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here. These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of his return.

3.   Remind yourself. The Lord himself is walking in the fire with me!! God will prepare me for my road ahead and He will use this for His glory however He desires! It was in the very midst of the fire that the Lord’s glory shined forth! Others began to see the fourth man in the fire! In the fire, is the very place God did His work!!!

With God on your side, your worst day is your best gift!!

Just as you, I can readily identify with this “bad day”. I have even had my share of “bad seasons.”  Serving along side my husband in ministry is a wonderful place to be, but at the same time is one area in my life that affords itself to many different seasons. I can remember one of the toughest seasons in my life being that very place that I wanted to give up! I surely didn’t want to believe this would in any way make me stronger! But the truth is, now that I am on the backside I can honestly say it was for my own good. It has made me stronger in the Lord! The fire is not a desirable place to be and it can look so different for all of us but remember as long as God is on our side….what can stand against us!?

James 1:2-4(TLB) Dear brothers (& sisters), is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.

Thank you for reading today! I pray you were encouraged! Comments are welcome.  Please share with others…you never know whom you might encourage today!!!

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Pastor Lisa Evans