Have you ever had one of those days, which just didn’t turn out well? Where everything just seems to irk you, and the world feels like it has tipped on it’s head leaving you wondering what has happened? In other words a horribilus (horrible) day!
Fortunately we usually don’t have too many of those days in a row, and when we find ourselves facing one there is some things we can do to ease the feelings and effects of a “horribilus day”.
1.Go and do something fun, and preferably active out in the great outdoors. Fresh air and some form of exercise are known mood lifters.
2.Be around others. It may be the last thing we feel like doing but being around the people we like and love helps return perspective to a horribilis day.
3. Eat something you really like. There is a reason why some things are simply called “comfort food”. They make us feel good and remind us of a better day. A good tip is to try and find a healthy recipe or alternative so that you don’t regret it later, or just have a small portion so you don’t have binge regret after consuming a whole pavlova or large block of chocolate all by yourself.
4. Watch, do something or be around someone who makes you laugh! Laughter or just smiling is like medicine. It’s good for our minds, hearts and souls.
“A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.” (Proverbs 17:22)
5. Cast all your cares upon Jesus. There is no point carrying around the cares and worries of a “horribilus day”. It will just prolong the day’s ability to steal our joy and perspective. Talk to God about it and hand over your cares and let Him carry you the rest of the day.
“Cast your cares upon Jesus for He cares for you”. (1 Peter 5:7)
5. Dream. Spend some time imagining a better day, and imagining how you would like things to be. Imagining is the starting point of activating our faith, and it’s when we start to be able to see better things that we can then start to believe for them.
God says He will “do immeasurably more than we can ask, think, dream or possibly imagine”. (Ephesians 3:20)
6. Give thanks. Be thankful for what you do have and ask God to help you to count your blessings. A grateful heart lifts our spirits and gives us strength to fight another day.
Today, if you have had a “horribilus day”, or you know what it’s like to experience one, remember it’s just one day, and it doesn’t have to define the rest of your week or life. We all have less than spectacular days, and moments of setback, but we are not alone, and when God is for us, who can stand against us. (Romans 8:31)
And, if at the end of the day it still looks and feels “horribilus”, then call it a day, put your pj’s on, hand it all over to Jesus, and go and get a decent night’s sleep. Tomorrow is a new day and God’s mercies are new every morning… Tomorrow is going to be a great day!
“The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fails. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)