When Your Day Gets Off to a Bad Start

I could hear my tone. It sounded more like a bark than a gentle reminder. If I were my kids, I wouldn’t want to listen to me.

I’d love to tell you the morning I speak of transpired years ago – long before I matured as a Christian. Unfortunately, it was yesterday.

I woke up later than I intended and spent the rest of the morning playing catch up. Everyone needed something from me, and they all needed it immediately. So after a few hours of meeting the bell, but losing my mind in the mean time, love no longer spilled out of mouth, instead I spewed frustration.

All the while I knew I wanted to be someone different. I wanted to gently train my children. I wanted to smile. And I knew God’s promises to be with me, fight for me, restore me. But I was off to a bad start, and sometimes it’s hard to stop that train once it gets moving.

I finally put my foot down and said, No more!

The first thing I did was say, I’m sorry.

I’m sorry … to each and every child who’d been on the receiving end of a harsh tone. I went to them one by one and said, I’m sorry. Will you forgive me? They quickly forgave and followed it up with a hug … we were on the right track.

After I settled my sin with them, I did the same with my husband, and with God. And though I still encountered moments of impatience or frustration along the way …

My day changed.

I’ve started more days wrong than I’d like to admit, and many ended the same way they began. On those days that suffered a not-so-happy ending, I fought hard to re-route my attitude. I tried and failed and tried and failed again. And there’s nothing wrong with trying hard, in fact, it’s necessary to make that mental decision to override our attitudes. But, too often, I think I miss the most important words of, I’m sorry.

I’m sorry initiates a restoration that even my best efforts will never accomplish. Those two words heal and mend and bridge a gap between me and the people I love.

In James 4:10 the Bible says, “Lay yourself bare, facedown to the ground, in humility before the Lord; and He will lift your head so you can stand tall.” (VOICE)

The Amplified Bible explains this humility as done “with an attitude of repentance and insignificance”. That’s where we have to start.

When we know we’ve veered off course and we’re desperate for a redirect, humility guides us back every time.

The Amplified Bible goes on to say that as God lifts your head, He will give you purpose … which is what we were after in the first place, right?

If you’re day is off to a bad start, and you’re looking for a way to make it right, stop right now and get still before God. Just this morning I read 2 Timothy 2:13 that says even if we are faithless, He is faithful, because He cannot deny Himself.

God is faithful. He will forgive you and redirect you. Start with I’m sorry so you can stand tall.

Let’s talk! I’d love to hear your stories of restoration that started with I’m sorry!

---

Subscribe to my blog in the box in the left-hand column and I’ll send 15 of my go-to Scriptures to fight fear and anxiety straight to your inbox!