You’ve heard the song by Bobby McFerrin Don’t Worry, Be Happy? That’s good advice, especially when you’re having a bad day. We’ve all had days when it seems nothing is going right. You open the refrigerator and there’s no milk for breakfast. On your way to work, you get stuck in a traffic jam. Then to make matters worse, you get a flat tire. When you finally arrive at work, your co-worker is out sick, and you have to do their work in addition to your own. Now that’s what I call having a bad day.
It’s natural to feel frustrated and angry when things don’t seem to be going right. But cursing the traffic or kicking the flat tire won’t solve anything.
So what should you do when you’re having a bad day?
Let me suggest you start out by telling yourself: “Don’t worry, be happy.”
The idea of overcoming frustration by being happy didn’t start with Bobby McFerrin. His song is actually a reflection of a well-known biblical principle. The Bible says, “Don’t be sad, the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).”
It’s okay to get frustrated when we get a flat tire, or something else goes wrong, but we shouldn’t stay that way. Don’t let something like a flat tire ruin your whole day. Cardiologist Robert Eliot said: “Rule No. 1 is, don’t sweat the small stuff. Rule No. 2 is, it’s all small stuff.”
Now obviously, there are real tragedies. I’m not trying to trivialize the many horrible things that happen in life, but when were dealing with a bit of bad luck or we’re just having a bad day, it’s important to get a grip by putting things in perspective. Remind yourself: It’s all small stuff. Nothing to get upset about.
After telling yourself not to worry or be upset, the next step is to accept the situation. Accept what’s happened for what it is and believe that God will help you deal with it. The ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said: “Let reality be reality, Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” Being able to accept things just as they are helps us to go with the flow. Life is going to throw one flat tire after another at you. That’s the way life is, at least for most people, so don’t fight an uphill battle. Go with it. Learn to roll with the punches.
One day, I was riding my bicycle along New York Highway 20. I was on a 100 mile ride from Buffalo, New York to Geneva, New York on the north shore of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes district. I was into mile 75 when I got a flat tire. It was a very hot day and I was starting to feel exhausted. The last thing I needed was a flat tire. After I fixed the flat, I started riding again but didn’t get far before the tire went flat again. I fixed the second flat and got back on the road. About a quarter mile down the road, I started a steep downhill grade. I was going about 25 mph when the rear tire blew out. The tire jammed in the bike frame and I skidded down the hill. The bike fishtailed wildly, but somehow, I was able to keep from falling. Since the tire was jammed, the wheel didn’t roll and the rim was shredded as I skid down the hill on the rim. Once I recovered from the frightening descent, and realized I couldn’t fix the wheel, I stuck out my thumb and started hitchhiking. I was totally exhausted. My only option was to accept what had happened and hope for the best. Fortunately, a kind man picked me up in his van and drove me to a bike shop where I was able to get a new wheel and tire, and I was able to ride the last 25 miles to my destination.
I don’t always accept these kinds of frustrations with such calmness, but on that day, God gave me grace to accept what had happened and move forward.
The third step in overcoming frustration is to give it to God. The Bible says: “Cast all your cares upon God, because God cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).”
Just knowing God cares can make a big difference in your life. You are not alone. You don’t have to face life’s struggles by yourself. When your feeling stressed out and everything seems to be going wrong give it to God and believe that he will help you. God will give you the strength and the patience to work through the frustration and find a place of peace and joy.
So when things don’t seem to be going your way, remember to tell yourself “Don’t worry, be happy. The joy of the Lord is your strength. Second, accept the situation as a part of life. And third, give it to God and trust him to help you through it.
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