What to do on the worst day of your life

Thankyou Jevon, your words are timely for me.

My worst day was the day my brother and I checked my dad into the hospital due to his rapidly decreasing fight with Alzheimer's, a few nights after my mom had to lock herself in her bedroom to keep him from hurting her. We knew he would never be coming out, and leaving him in a strange place, knowing he had reached the dangerous stage in his disease, but also knowing that he still had moments of awareness, was the most difficult thing I've ever had to do. He knew he wasn't home, and he did not want to be left there, and we did not want to leave him there as well. But it was what had to be done. I found myself repeating over and over "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" that day obsessively. I remembered the scripture quote from a friend's website who trained horses with and for me. I had been "seeking" God very lightly up to that point. But it was the experiences with my Dad's debilitating disease that caused me to aggressively seek him, especially after that day. I had a strength that was not my own, and I knew that it was our Lord working through me that day. I stumbled upon this book a week ago, and although I can say that I do not have any specific issues right now that cause me anything nearly as crippling as that day, I find myself struggling frequently. This book has caused a new shift of energy and faith within me, and is now a lifeline, helping me to continue to "look up" and look ahead to push past the obstacles I encounter daily.

After being hired to lead a start-up manufacturing operation less than 8 months ago, moving my wife and household goods from one end of our state to the other, and investing countless hours dedicated to the facility, Corporate staff came in 3 weeks ago and discharged me from my position for no cause or reasonable explanation. I read about these situations, but never dreamed it would ever personally occur to me!

My wife and I are in our early 50's, so we have been grappling with the usual emotions before recognizing that this event did not surprise God one bit. We believe that where this door has closed, we now must look for His window in due time.

The current economic situation has me actually looking outside of the industry I have worked in for 33 years, but to continue to earn the level of compensation I have been accustomed to, remaining within my current job focus pays more.

I am very grateful to His grace for a local potential opportunity that I will hear more about next week. However, it pays quite a bit less than what we have been used to, but understand and believe the Jesus is our Jehovah-jireh.

We (and church families) continue to pray seeking His wisdom and understanding.

Two things got me through one of my days of trouble – friendship and prayer. I realize now we must invest in these things all our lives, if we are to survive the days of 'famine'.  

I went into work one day, and my boss sacked me on the spot. I physically shook. My colleagues were almost as shocked as I was.

A Christian friend took me to a local church at lunchtime. We sat together on hard wooden benches, in this old place of worship, and we prayed. We recognized that God is the victor. I wasn't feeling victorious, but I was trusting in God to be like that.

Two days later, I got my job back. There was a series of events that led up to that point. Colleagues rallied round and helped me get justice in my situation. That convinced me of the goodness God has programmed into human nature. We often focus on the sin, but forget that everyone is made in God's image. Sin hasn't totally wiped that out.

Another friend once said that when we're on our deathbeds, we won't be wishing we'd spent more time at our desks. We'd be wishing we'd spent more time with our family and friends.

So, we must learn to pray, and we must invest in relationships. They are better than government bonds, to get us through the hard times.

One of the worst days in my life was losing my mother to cancer. She was only in her late 60s, and had already experienced healing. I thought I'd done a deal with God, and he was letting her live to see her grandchildren grow up. That was not to be. I realized God does not do deals like that. But he does deal out justice and mercy. So in his mercy, he had already given my mom another year to live. Perhaps in that year, she had dealt with issues between her and God. But then we lost her completely. It was a dark day.

I was broken. I was not angry at God – I was actually angry with myself. Maybe I should have prayed longer, harder. Maybe I shouldn't have let her have her favorite chocolate milk drink the day before. Maybe I should have stayed at her bedside day and night, not just at night. But I saw that God is bigger than me. He has a bigger view of the plans for our lives. Somehow, he had ordained for mom to be with him, not with me. I had to be content with that, for now. it didn't stop the pain. I didn't slip into a wonderland of cushioned feelings. There was deep grief, and deep misunderstanding from colleagues and friends who couldn't see why I was so broken.

Then I discovered a way through. I kept on remembering all the good things about mom. As simple as that. Without realizing it, by giving myself a little time and space, I allowed the hurt to gradually morph into precious memories. Years later, I'm still not completely OK. But I don't want to be. I carry the pain as well as the joy. If I spoke of being 'healed' of the pain, that would be a terrible testimony to mom. We all miss her. The pain is a humble shrine to her memory. She helped me through the bitter grief of losing my dad when I was a young boy. She read Bible stories to me, which dropped a seed of faith in my heart. She taught me to be kind and considerate to others. 

For now, we live in these shadowlands. But one day, death will be no more.

Almost fifteen years ago I was given a diagnosis of cancer--late stage 2, going into stage 3. I wish I had this book then to help me face that day...and the days following. But through God's grace, He brought me through it. Following the steps in this book will help you face any crisis that may come up in your face--and remember, weeping endures for the night, but then the morning comes, and with it joy and total recovery of all!

When going through trouble, our emotions can be overwhelming.  I have to tell my emotions to be quiet - and allow God's Word that is in me to bubble up.  Then I have God's perspective on the situation.  I pray the Word.  I believe it is definitely OK to have our emotions, as long as we don't let them be the master - but let the Word be the final authority in how we handle trouble.  God has always been faithful to get me through every situation in peace.

This book is life-changing!  What a PERFECT book for the times we are living in today.  If you have lost your home, your job, a loved one, or even lost hope--this book is for YOU.  I read it over a week-end and preached this message in my church last Sunday.  God moved in an amazing way and many others have told me they are excited to read it ever since.  Get it NOW!

Good words, Jevon.

One of the best sections of the Zahnd book is the chapter that describes the step David took after he refused to become bitter--he encouraged himself in the Lord. In other words, he recalled the times in his life when he was facing other difficult circumstances and God came through for him. Doing this built his faith to believe God for deliverance and restoration on "the worst day of his life." David's approach is one I have taken many times when I'm struggling to "keep the faith" during a trial, and it has never failed to bring me to a greater understanding of who God is and how much He loves us. It has also increased my trust in Him, allowing me to confidently believe He will work things together for my good and give me victory over my situation.

Actually what should have been my worst day wasn't devastating and in looking back, I think it was the grace of God that covered me during that time. When I think of what a harrowing experience it was, it's scarier to me now than when I was lying in the ER so the only way I can explain it was the intangible peace of God. I had my moments, but for the most part, I knew everything was going to be alright.

When I am in a good season, I ask God to help me engrave those memories in my mind. I also ask Him to help me mark my memory just as I am being delivered out of something, so that I won't forget His faithfulness when a new trial comes. While I was growing up, I used to think about the children of Israel and could not understand why they complained so much. It was just after being given manna from heaven or quail or something that they started to complain about the next thing. So I just prayed even then that God would help me remember His faithfulness from one situation to another. I also remember 1 Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." So I just trust that God can see ahead and whatever trial may come, I know that He thinks I can handle it and that He has already seen how I can get out.

If you've ever wondered why some people come through difficult times better and stronger and others seem to get stuck in a tailspin, this book will open your eyes. Brian Zahnd's look at the 10 steps King David went through to overcome the worst day of his life is so simple and compelling, you'll wonder how you never saw it before. I had several ah ha moments while reading this book. This is a MUST READ for anyone going through a difficult time.

I think it's great that there's a forum set up to talk about preparing for trouble. When I read this book, there wasn't any specific thing I was going through, except for the poor economy and things that everyone struggles with. But I read the book anyway, and I'm glad I did because now I feel like when trouble does come, I'll be better prepared. I will at least have no excuse to suffer without knowing what to do.

This little book is so good because it takes a story that I have never read (or read quickly without really understanding) and brings light to the deep meaning of what David did on his worst day. The steps he took are so valuable to me now. This book is so empowering.

I lead a divorce recovery group at my church and told them I had found this book that I thought we should all read.....as we each have experienced similar "worst days" in our separate lives. Just when you think you've experienced some of the most horrible things this world can dish out, God puts something in your path to make you realize it WILL get better and you are beautifully made and that He loves you. Can't wait for this book to hit the street!!!