We’ve all had a bad day. I’m not talking about the days when we get hit with bad news like an unexpected diagnosis or are involved in an automobile accident.

Those are not pleasant either.

I’m talking about those really bad days when it seems every hope and dream we ever had just gets sucked right out of us. They fly away and leave us despondent, depressed, and wishing we had never gotten out of bed in the first place.

And the worst part is that we usually feel as if we’re standing by helplessly, watching the day spiral from bad to worse. And every minute we do nothing, we feel guilty – which only makes the day worse.

That scenario has happened to me more times than I’d like to admit. Just recently I experienced a wonderful weekend, full of family blessings and hope for the future. I entered Monday excited about my upcoming book launch and full of ideas on how to help Christians think, live, and lead an authentic life.

And then – Boom! Gone. And I felt as if I were imprisoned within myself, watching the day go up in flames while I sat on the fire extinguisher whining to myself about why the day sucked. And hating myself for doing nothing.