Last week I had a few really hard days. I would like to think that I am the only one who has tough days and that all of you reading this have no idea what I’m talking about, but unfortunately, we all have bad days, don’t we? Our Facebook and Instagram pictures might appear as though we have it all together, but we both know that some days are just ugly. Somedays, we need a re-do. A re-do in our parenting, at our workplace, with our diets, in our relationships… ugh. On countless days, I would love a re-do.
In the hard days what I have learned is this – I am not enough to conquer what is in front of me, the hard stuff, by myself. If I start the day on my own will, with my own power, and living in my own pride, I will fail. Every day is new with different challenges, and I have learned I need Jesus every step of the way.
I think the quote by Charles Spurgeon sums up how I feel about the “need” in my days and how I get through. He in his wisdom shares,
“I have a great need for Christ;
I have a great Christ for my need.”
So this is my prayer; actually, it was David’s prayer first. David was a man whose life story is found in the Old Testament. He faced death, betrayal, sin, sorrow and still was called a man after God’s own heart. David did not do life alone. He did it with a mighty God that sustained him daily. It’s incredible to think of David praying these words, and thousands of years later, God still calling a girl in the midwest to cry out the same.
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. — Psalm 143:8-10
I love that prayer. The mindset that I can start each day anew (a re-do), no matter what affected me the day before. The picture of starting over, not alone, but with a God who is for me and helping me re-establish firm footing.
Whether you pray daily or have never prayed a prayer in your life, we all need a fresh start sometimes. Starting the day by having a conversation with Jesus, the one who makes everything new, is a great way to begin again. Maybe that sounds complicated or uncomfortable, but it merely starts by talking to God who is already waiting for you, being honest about what’s going on, and asking Him to help you through it.
When we commit our days to Him, the hard is made a little more doable. We can live the free life knowing that every day we can ask for help and we get the chance to start all over again.
