'Cause You Had a Bad Day?

Ever give a cross look, a mean word, a snooty comment, or a disrespectful silence because you “had a bad day”...really? You think you’ve had a bad day?

“Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.” 2 Corinthians 11:24-25

Still feeling sorry for yourself? Let’s continue...

People made fun of him, and even his friends left him.
People would not even look at him but turned away in disgust.
He was a man who suffered a lot of pain and sickness.
He was treated like someone of no importance.
He bore our pain.
He was crushed because of our guilt.
He took the punishment we deserved.
He was being punished for what we did.
He was treated badly.
He was taken away by force and judged unfairly.
He was considered a criminal.
He had done no wrong to anyone.
He was put to death for the sins of his people.

Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 6, that we (not others) are in control of how we represent Christ. Through afflictions, hardships, stress, beatings, imprisonments, turmoil, labor, sleeplessness, hunger, and more...it was not the situation that dictated Paul’s attitude & response to others. He saw the opportunity in everything to praise, preach, and love as Christ. Paul understood (2Cor. 6:3) that how he acted/reacted (no matter what kind of "day" he was having) could either enhance or reduce his ability to minister to others.

DON’T miss YOUR OPPORTUNITIES to BE CHRIST!
God can use you in EVERY situation...let HIM.