When Your Bad Day is a Good Day

What makes a life, a day, or an event ‘good’ or ‘bad’? We easily categorize so many things into these two buckets without much thought. However, with discernment (the ability to make wise spiritual judgments), we can see that some things that appear good are actually bad, and some bad things are ultimately good.

“Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity” — Ecclesiastes 11:7-8

Rejoice in the Good Days

Life is generally a blessing, so if we are blessed with many years, we should enjoy our days. For the Christian, every day is a walk with God. Even the challenges we face are designed to strengthen us:

• James 1:2-4: Trials teach us endurance and perfect our character.
• 1 Peter 1:6-9: Hardships refine and strengthen our faith.
• 1 Peter 4:13-14: Facing persecution for Christ is a reason to rejoice.

On the other hand, trials and persecution grind down and embitter those who are disobedient. As Proverbs 13:6 and Proverbs 13:15 tell us, the way of the sinner is hard.

Dark Days Will Come

We will all face dark and difficult days. Even the trials that eventually strengthen us can make our lives feel heavy in the moment. Paul learned how to endure both times of plenty and times of need through the strength of Christ (Philippians 4:10-13).

Anyone can be happy when times are good. The real challenge is finding contentment when life is hard. According to Paul, contentment is a learned behavior. God’s wisdom must change our perspective.

“You want God to change your circumstances, but God wants to change you.” — Barry Hudson

Learning Contentment

See God’s Hand in All Things

“In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him” — Ecclesiastes 7:14

We should meditate deeply on this passage. God may not directly cause every bad event, but He is always in control and allows them to happen. All things can work together for our spiritual good if we trust Him (Romans 8:28). Do we truly trust God’s management of the universe, or do we second-guess Him?

God can help us turn challenges into blessings, but we must let His word and our faith do their work. These blessings do not come to those who whine, complain, or give up.

For example, God allowed Israel to hunger in the wilderness and then fed them with manna from heaven. He did this to teach them that “man does not live by bread alone” but by God’s word (Deuteronomy 8:3). Israel had a perfect opportunity to learn dependence on God and trust in His care. Instead, they whined, complained, and rebelled. They saw disaster where they should have seen hope.

We will learn contentment if we respond to trials with active trust.

Realize Something “Bad” May Be “Good”

We are often too quick to label an event as “good” or “bad” before we see the final outcome. Consider this old fable:

A farmer had only a son and his horse. One day the horse ran away. The neighbors pitied the farmer, but he replied, “We’ll see, we’ll see.”

A few days later, the horse returned with 20 wild horses. The farmer was able to tame them, sell them, and make a profit. The neighbors rejoiced and praised the farmer, but he replied, “We’ll see, we’ll see.”

One day, a horse kicked the farmer’s only son, injuring him so badly that he became lame. The neighbors were angry at the horse, but the farmer said, “We’ll see, we’ll see.”

Soon, war broke out, and all the young men of the village were drafted. However, the farmer’s son was spared because he was lame. All the other young men were lost in a terrible battle. The neighbors consoled the farmer that at least his son was still alive, to which he replied, “We’ll see, we’ll see.”

We are poor judges of what is good or bad because we cannot see the future. Hardships and trials can lead to positive changes we would never have experienced otherwise.

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” — 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Our affliction (temporary pain and suffering) is actively working toward our eternal glory. However, if we gripe and complain, we will miss the blessing. We must look at our lives with spiritual eyes, trusting that God knows what He is doing (Romans 9:19-23; Job 40).

Consider how events that seem terrible can result in great good:

• The death of Jesus on the cross resulted in His powerful resurrection and salvation for all.
• The persecution of the early church scattered Christians, which actually spread the gospel throughout the world (Acts 8).
• Paul’s imprisonment gave him the opportunity to preach to the palace guard and encouraged other Christians to speak boldly (Philippians 1:12-18).
• Our daily trials produce patience and mature our Christian character.

Many people have lost jobs and thought it was a bad day. Yet, that setback forced them to find more fulfilling, better-paying careers. We naturally sorrow when we do not know the future, but we must trust that God cares for us and keep moving forward in hope.

Pray for Vision

Life is good if we choose to see it. We must pray for spiritual wisdom to find the good in the bad. When Elisha’s servant panicked because they were surrounded by the Syrian army, Elisha calmly prayed for God to open his eyes. When God did, the servant saw the hills filled with the horses and chariots of fire surrounding them (2 Kings 6). We often focus on our immediate enemies and forget that God’s heavenly forces are protecting us.

Of course, some events in life are so tragic that finding any good feels impossible. Joy may be long delayed, but even in the worst situations, the faithful can grow. Cancer patients have shared how their diagnosis taught them the value of each moment and deepened their trust in God. Parents who have lost children have become advocates to save others, finding purpose in comforting other mourning families. While trials happen to both the good and the bad, the faithful grow stronger while the wicked become bitter.

Some of our difficult days are the direct result of our own bad choices. We may suffer lifelong consequences of sin, even after repenting with tears. Jacob spent decades in fear of his brother Esau after deceiving their father. He was later deceived by his father-in-law, had his heart broken when his sons sold Joseph into slavery, and faced severe family conflict. God blessed Jacob, but he suffered greatly due to his own poor decisions.

At other times, we suffer because of the wickedness of others. Joseph was nearly murdered by his brothers and sold into slavery, where he was falsely accused and imprisoned. Yet, Joseph continued to trust God. In the end, he was able to save his entire family from famine and reconcile with them.

In both situations, God’s people can rise above evil and use their suffering to help others. While the wicked often harden their hearts, become resentful, and lash out, Christians can use their trials to grow stronger and guide others toward a better path.

You cannot control every event in life, but you can control how you respond and what you learn from the experience.

“May this journey bring a blessing, may I rise on wings of faith; At the end of my heart’s testing, with your likeness let me wake.” — “Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer” by Keith and Kristyn Getty