Subject to Bad Days

Jesus is faithful and caring through every season of our life, and he is touched by every feeling we endure during our hard times. The apostle Paul addresses this when he writes, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). The treasure Paul refers to is the knowledge and presence of Jesus Christ — and we hold this precious treasure in our bodies. Just imagine! Yet the Greek word Paul uses for “earthen” is “frail clay” meaning, “weak, easily broken, and easily tempted.”

Paul speaks of Timothy’s “frequent infirmities” in 1 Timothy 5:23. The Greek word for “infirmity” here means “sickly, without strength, feeble of body or mind.” There are other kinds of infirmities besides physical ones and they are just as difficult to handle. Infirmities of the mind are probably the most widespread — those times when your feelings betray you and play tricks on your mind. Let me explain.

You may go to bed feeling content and peaceful, yet wake up with a heavy cloud of gloom hanging over your head. You go through the day downcast and disheartened, unable to shake the negative feelings. Guilt, fear and anxiety are also infirmities of the mind and may haunt you because of your past.

So, how can we be full of “knowledge and the presence of Jesus” and also subject to bad days, feelings of failure, weakness, frailties? It’s because we still dwell in our physical bodies, subject to “infirmities” and temptations of all kinds, both mental and physical. 

Ironically, some of our most intense testing may come when we are searching God’s Word. Or interceding for lost souls. It’s easy to get frustrated when we look at others and wonder why we can’t triumph like they seem to be doing. But you are not unspiritual because you experience bad days. You are the child of your heavenly Father and he sends the Holy Spirit to chase away your doubts. The Word says, “Not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:9).

You cannot fight the enemy on your own but you have this great treasure present in you, so run to your heavenly Father. Then stand still, with patience and hope!