Beaten down

Ever had one of those days? You know, the kind that feels like only the bad stuff happens? Has it ever lasted a week? A month? Are you going through it now? There’s hope for your hurting heart!

My husband, Greg, has been working on a difficult transition at work for months now. At the end of the day he is mentally drained, emotionally fried, and physically worn out. Because of his relationship with God, he has learned healthy ways to deal with stress. But that was not always the case. When times got tough, his response didn’t always align with God’s response. Can you relate?

Our response                                     God’s response

Run away                                            Run to Him - “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt 11:28

Suffer in silence                                  Confide in a trusted friend - “Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Fix it ourselves                                    Give the problem to God – “Cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Go it alone                                          Be in fellowship with others – “A friend loves at all times…” Proverbs 17:17

Jesus came to bring us victory in this world. So why do we keep responding to problems our own way? God’s ways are clearly not our ways, they are so much better! God designed us to be in fellowship with Him and with others, but when times get tough we pull away. Paul describes the struggle in Romans 7 as he shares that he doesn’t do the things that are good for him and instead does the things he hates. As a result, we’re overwhelmed and feel completely defeated.

Bad days will come but we can choose how we respond to them. Are we sticking to our old habits or are we seeing the problem God’s way? He came to set us free, so why do we stay beaten down?

Be blessed,

Jennifer 

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!” John 16:33