The Bad Mood Cometh...

Do you ever find yourself in such a disagreeable mood that you don't want to be around anyone... even God? I'm sure someone out there is shaking their head in agreement. If you're unsure, here are some of the symptoms, though your personal experiences may vary:

* You are agitated and you aren't completely sure why

* You find yourself snapping at everyone around you, either verbally or mentally

* Though you normally love listening to worship music, you "aren't in the mood" right now

* You convince yourself that you don't need to pray or reach out to a brother or sister in Christ because there isn't anything that can be said or done to cheer you up.

In short, you allow yourself to fully embrace the bad mood, at least for a little while.

That was me one morning early last week. I can not fully get into what triggered it right now, but at the time I initially wrote this (last Tuesday), I figured it had something to do with being irritated at the kids for not listening. Usually I can deal with mornings and still maintain a semblance of joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart... not that morning. As I finalize this and look back on the week that was, I know now what the trigger was and how better to control it.

I remember being frustrated with myself - why was I feeling this way? Why couldn't I shake the incredibly cranky mood I was in? How could I fix it? Of course, I knew perfectly well how I could fix it - I could have taken it to God. I could have cried out to Him and rebuked the feelings of unjustifiable anger and irritation. I could have put on my favorite Christian radio station here in Jacksonville, 88.1 THE PROMISE, and allowed the songs of Christ's love wash over me. I could have texted one of Godly men in my life for help. I could have done any one of those things, but I didn't. At least, not right away.

So, now that we've figured out that, although I am a Christian, saved only by the grace of the Lord God, I still screw up, get angry, think mean thoughts, etc. I am still, in a word, human. Just like you. What I want to tell you next, the enemy doesn't want you to know. Yes - there is an enemy that is trying to ruin your life. See 1 Peter, chapter 5, verse 8:

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

That isn't the secret but I want you to focus on that part for now. As you go through the next few days, be on the lookout for the roaring lion in your life. Try to recognize the signs of the enemy trying to devour you. Pray this week that God would open your eyes to see, your ears to hear, and your heart to feel all of the attacks of the enemy and that through the awesome power of His grace, you are strengthened to stand firm against the evil one. I'll be praying the same thing, so we can stand in agreement with one another.

Yours In Christ

Mykalus