ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE A BAD DAY?
Ever wonder how soon you can tell if you’re going to have a bad day?
According to a survey by Avocado Green Mattress and Talker Research, the average American can predict by 8:36 a.m. whether the day will be a rough one. In fact, most people experience about four "bad days" a month, with 26% of the 2,000 surveyed saying that if something goes wrong in the morning, it sets the tone for the entire day.
Here are the top five reasons for a bad day:
Waking up feeling sick (35%)
Sleeping poorly the night before (31%)
Waking up with a headache (29%)
Losing keys (26%)
Forgetting your phone at home (25%)
(Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest.com, August 2024)
While these situations can definitely throw a wrench into your morning, as Christians, we can take a different approach to how our day starts and unfolds. Instead of letting a frustrating event dictate the course of the day, why not start with intentional practices that can set the tone for peace and joy, regardless of what happens by 8:36 a.m.?
Setting the Right Foundation for Your Day
What if the way you begin your day involved more than just rushing out the door or reacting to an inconvenience? Here are some simple yet profound practices you can incorporate into your morning to shift your focus from the problems at hand to the One who holds the day in His hands:
Praise God for Who He Is Before anything happens—good or bad—take a moment to worship God. Acknowledge His sovereignty, goodness, and faithfulness. By starting your day in gratitude and praise, you can shift your mindset from focusing on potential mishaps to trusting in God’s perfect plan.
Commit Your Day to God In prayer, offer your day to God. Ask Him to guide your steps, give you wisdom, and provide you with opportunities to serve and glorify Him. When you approach the day with a heart committed to His purposes, even interruptions can become divine assignments.
Spend Time in God’s Word Opening the Bible for just 15 minutes each morning can have a powerful effect on your outlook. Try reading from the One Year Bible, which includes passages from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. God's Word provides perspective and encouragement that can help you face whatever challenges the day may bring.
Pray for Your Family Intercede for your loved ones, asking God to protect and bless them throughout the day. Covering your family in prayer not only brings peace to your heart but also sets the tone for how you interact with them as the day unfolds.
Trust in God’s Sovereignty Even if by 8:36 a.m. things aren't going well, remember that God is still in control. Every moment of your day is known by Him, and nothing surprises or overwhelms Him. Thank Him for the ways He will work in your life today, no matter how the circumstances appear.
Conclusion: You Have a Choice
The reality is, we can't always control what happens in our day, but we can control how we respond. By focusing on God and His promises, we can reclaim our mornings and, in turn, our entire day. So, even if your morning doesn't go according to plan, take heart in knowing that God has already planned your day with purpose and care. How you start it is up to you.
