He not only breaks the chains that bind me, but also leads me out of prison into sunlight and liberty. He delivers me from the twists and turns of my own deviousness, from surliness and selfishness, from prejudice and hate, from dismal doubt and unbelief, from oppression by Satan and my own ego, and from my inner lustings and cravings. By the time God is finished with me at the end of my life, I will recognize that He has done an amazing work in me…”         

                                                                                     —W. Glyn Evans

I needed to be reminded of the bigger picture of my sanctification process last Saturday when surliness and selfishness ruled my inner world. I did not want to talk to anyone, including the Lord. I was enveloped in fatigue and frustration that I couldn’t wish away. It was a dark day. And when days like this kidnap me, I don’t do a very good job of reaching out for help. I cannot find within me the strength to send a text, tweet, or talk.

But someone reached out to me: my husband, Bob. I can be a bit prickly during my melancholy moments, but his acts of kindness, gentle words, and easy humor won out over my sullen spirit. I am so grateful he pressed into my heart, bringing the hopeful words I needed to hear. God used him to “lead me out of prison into sunlight.”

Truth is, we all face challenging days (weeks? months?), so how can we navigate through them?

First, keep God in the mix. I did read a few Psalms and acknowledged the Lord’s love hadn’t left me because I was in a bad mood. To be honest, my prayer was not one full of great faith! But Psalm 88:1-3 hit me right between the eyes: “O Lord, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you. May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of trouble.” I put my feeble prayer before him, and there was, as always, something freeing about being totally honest with God.

Second, remind yourself that adversity and moodiness are a part of the natural rhythms of life, and God is big enough to use these days to conform us into the likeness of his Son. “By the time God is finished with me, at the end of my life, I will recognize that He has done an amazing work in me.” Amen!

Sunday was a much better day, so I sat down to journal what I had gleaned from my surly Saturday. I learned how weak and vulnerable I still am. I’ve been a follower of Jesus for 36+ years; shouldn’t I be beyond all this by now? No! I am still a work in process. Humility grows best when I am reminded of this truth. I also learned how I need to let others help me when I am quite convinced I am beyond help. The result of letting Bob help me on Saturday? He and I grew closer, and I felt safe and understood—all keys to getting me back from the dark side.

How can you prepare now for the inevitable “bad day”? Who will you call for help? Where in the Word will you go to gain perspective? How can you learn to pray in the dark? Take a moment and journal what comes to mind.