Did you ever have one of those days where one problem became two, and two turned to four, and then there were eight, etc?

Did you ever have one of those weeks where Monday was a disaster, and Tuesday was no better, and then sure enough Wednesday tanked too, and so on?

…

Did you ever have one of those months?

Occam’s Razor says that, when given enough opportunities, any possible outcome will eventually occur. Therefore, it’s entirely possible that next May might end up being a fabulous thirty-one days, filled with good times and cheer.

But that’s next May.

So if you’re one of those people who’s having “a bad month” what can do?

Maybe you messed up. Maybe you forgot to do something, maybe you neglected to do something (big difference), maybe you did something you shouldn’t have…or maybe you didn’t do anything. Maybe someone else did the doing and now you’re the one who’s hurting. If it’s the former, the solution is easy: Suck it up buttercup. Repent and move on.  If you’re the victim, however, it can be a little harder. What can you do then?

For one thing, you can remember: Remember what you have, remember who you are, and remember who you represent. That’s what Paul writes, in Philippians…

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:11-3

Remember what you have: You have a lot. But maybe you don’t: Maybe you have a little. Maybe you are abounding, but maybe you are abased. Maybe you’re up but maybe you’re down. No matter what remember that WHAT you have in this world came to you from this world. It doesn’t matter. Good or bad, it won’t last forever.

So remember who you are: You are a Christian. You have Christ and through Him you can do “all things.” What are these “all things?” A lot of people take this verse out of context and they think they can dunk a basketball or win a hotdog eating contest because “I can do all things through Christ!” No, Jesus don’t care if you can eat 100 hotdogs in a minute. The “all things” here refer to the situation you find yourself in, whether you are high or low; whether you have a lot (abound) or a little (abase), you can have what you have with the right attitude through Christ. Having too much an lead to arrogance, but have it through Christ and it becomes the means to help many people. Having too little can lead to bitterness, but have it through Christ and it becomes an oppertunity to remmeber that you’re a servant and not even Jesus had a place to pillow his head at night (Matthew 8:20). You’re a Christian: BE a Christian, during good months and bad.

And finally remember who you represent: As a Christian, you are to reflect Jesus Christ. He is the source of your strength. You will endure your hard time thanks to Him. Don’t forget that! People who do often fail to give God thanks when times are good and so they forget to turn to him until they are very deep in the hole. Be constantly giving God praise and thanks for His strength, and you’ll find it easier to avoid a lot of the potholes on the road of life.

But sometimes you get hit by an arrow no matter what you do. I get it: Satan has good aim. Regardless, you still represent Christ. Don’t let the challenges of the day (or week…or month) cause you to forget that.

This too shall pass.