Never exempt from having a bad day, it is expected, sometimes everyday, once a week, once a month or several times a year. Things will go bad, maybe a flat tire, parking ticket, loosing a wallet, a job, a break-up or the worst, a loved one.

Even in the worst times, life goes on and for some that play a critical position that many depend on, we have to forsake our feelings and live outside of ourselves to fulfill a greater purpose. When we have a position to fulfill and need to be at a certain place at a certain time, it seems at that time, right before you break-through, it can feel like a ton of bricks full of emotions is thrown down at you, wanting to keep you from getting off of the floor. That, of a tidal wave on its way toward you ready to knock the heck out of you.

Yes, emotions are a blessing, but sometimes you wish they weren’t there. At the turning points in life, where you are doing something that will break barriers carried from generation to generation, it’s as if opposition is tremendously stronger than what anyone else is going through, as if you are carrying the weight of previous generations to the finish line.

I’ve felt the struggle when I had to persevere through tough times when I felt I wanted to give up or hopeless of ever making it. The most pain-staking times have to be the times when I had to be somewhere at a certain time for the purpose of serving God in certain ways. Although, volunteering to be a camera person in church may sound minuscule to some, when I had to leave home to drive to church, strong emotional pain hit me so hard all of a sudden. I felt like not going. It was my first day or serving and I did not want to go. It’s important to recognize the works of the enemy, the dark-side that wants to keep us from crossing into something greater. With tears falling from my eyes as an emotional wreck, I made it and at the end of the service, I received a blessing that was the start of a changed life.

If not for emotional pain coming at the wrong time, there were times I felt way too tired to go, almost changing my mind and had I listened to my feelings, I wouldn’t have been blessed just by getting into my car, driving over and walking into church.

The most life-changing time was before I got baptized, I kept getting thoughts, telling me I’m not ready or that it won’t change anything or that I’m not worthy in God’s eyes, but I proceeded and it changed my life forever.

Even if we feel tired, emotionally distraught or depressed, sometimes surrendering to God also means, surrendering our feelings and knowing that there’s something much greater than our ourselves, but God’s purpose. Instead of allowing feelings to take over, it’s better to get down on your knees and just worship God, not because of your difficult situation, but because who God is and that He is worthy to be praised.

So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.

Exodus 17:11

Worshiping God does not always mean lifting up our hands, but also obedience and sacrifice or putting God above anything or anyone we love. Look up, not inwards and let Him pour out His love, peace and joy on you today.