Have you ever thought about what makes a good day “good,” and a bad day “bad”? Many time we let our circumstances dictate how we feel from day to day. Here are 5 things to remember when you feel discouraged.

1. No matter the reason for the discouragement, think about the Lord.

When we let what people say or think of us influence us there become expectations that we have to live up to and many times we cannot live up to those expectations and then we get discouraged. We should be looking up (vertically) to Jesus and not looking around (horizontally) at the world.

Hebrews 12:1–3 says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”

These verses say, “Look unto Jesus” and “consider Him.” When we bring our lives before the Lord we find encouragement. All our reasons for discouragement fade away when we look up and see Him.

2. This moment won’t be wasted.

Whatever you are going through God has a plan and He is going to use it for his purpose. I once heard someone say “Today’s test is tomorrow’s testimony.” Trust your hope in Jesus and that he will carry you through.

Romans 8:28 says “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

3. Today’s troubles are temporary.

When we define our value and our measure of success by Christ’s work in us, which He began at the cross and promises to complete when we are with Him in glory then every day becomes a good day. We can face even terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days with joy because Christ is working in us. We are free to define a good day as one where excellence is pursued, self is left behind, and Christ is magnified!

2 Corinthians 4:17 says “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”

4. God is fighting for you.

The same God who helped David slay a nine-foot giant with one smooth stone fights for you. The same God who helped Joshua tear down a city with a trumpet blow fights for you.

God Fights on your side! A verse that reminds me of this is 2 Timothy 1:7 which says “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

5. God is always good!

Even when our circumstances feel really bad, we can have hope in our good God.

Psalm 145:9 says “The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.”