But how often is that actually true? Well, I can tell you, as I lie in bed at 3:00 in the morning, that it happens more often than I would like. And for someone who likes to go to bed at a reasonable hour and get plenty of sleep, it's not a fun feeling.
Sometimes, though, it's not because of lack of sleep. Sometimes, I'm just tired from life.
There are days when stress levels are high, my mood is low, and everything loses its excitement. I just trudge through the day, waiting for the moment when I can just go back to bed, sleep everything away, and wake up cheerful and hopeful again.
There are days when I'm tired of being single. When I'm tired of feeling unwanted even though I do occasionally get asked out on dates. When I'm tired of having feelings for the same person for too many years. There are days when I feel trapped by all the happy couples, and I just feel lonely.
There are days when I question God. There are days where I just lie in bed, crying, asking God for a sign that He's there by my side because I feel lost; asking Him about His plans because I just don't understand.
A lot of us have those days, I'm sure.
But you want to know the wonderful thing about all this?
Those kinds of days don't happen very often. Those kinds of days are rare in comparison to the other days.
The days where I wake up when the sun lights up my room, not to the intruding sounds of an alarm. The days where I smile at those who I pass throughout my day, occasionally throwing out a cheerful "Hi!" The days where I laugh until I can't breathe and tears are pouring out of my eyes. The days where I'm surrounded by people who love me for who I am, no strings attached. The days when I'm almost disappointed that the day is over and I have to sleep, but sigh blissfully once I finally get under the covers.
Because I love my life. I am truly content with where my life is going. I have a family who has never failed to show me how much they love and support me. I have friends who I know I will have for a lifetime. I'm learning about a profession that I continually fall in love with. I have a great job, a boss who I can truly call a friend, and co-workers who make long days fun.
You see, bad days are inevitable. They're going to happen no matter how hard you try to avoid them. But what you can control is how you come out of them. You can choose to dwell in all the bad, or you can find the silver linings in life.
These blessings are God's way of saying, "Hey, I hear you. I know you're hurting. I know you're confused and lost. I know you're wondering what I'm doing. But I'm here. I'm right here. Trust me."
From 1 Kings 19:11-13: "Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. "
Winds can tear us apart, earthquakes can shake us, fires can burn us. But if we only focus on those moments, we can't hear the gentle whisper of God's voice. Maybe God is trying to talk to you, to tell you that everything is going to be okay.
Are you listening?
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"The cacophony of our lives can turn any scene into a seeming chaos - sights and sounds begging for our attention and demanding our energy. The difference is that when God is ready to speak, few people 'let down their wings' and stand in silent stillness, waiting for the voice that matters... Sense the sacred moments that call for stillness."
