If You're Feeling Grouchy...

I'm not feeling real happy these days because things are not going the way i planned for them to go.
When that happens, (and it often does), i tend to get grouchy, feel sorry for myself, take it out on my loved ones, and generally walk around with a lousy attitude.
I need grace to walk through difficult season. Below are some things i've decided to start doing despite my feelings.

Here are some tips to getting God's grace when you're grouchy. Maybe it will be an encouragement to you too.

1. Calling out. As long as we pretend to be self sufficient we short circuit God's power in our life. We need to admit our inadequacy and say, "God, I can't handle this!" and cry out for God's help. The Bible says "God gives grace to the humble." "Draw close to God and God will draw close to you." Notice who gets grace. The humble. Those who admit they can't do it on their own.

2. Filling my mind with God's word. The Bible can comfort us, it can strengthen us, it can soothe us, it can give us the energy we need to keep going. Get into the scriptures, every single day of your life. Get a modern translation -- New Living Version or something and begin to read it and get it into your mind.

3. Accepting support from people. God intentionally, the Bible says, puts weaknesses in our lives so we realize how much we need each other. You're not going to make it on your own. We need to accept support from God's people. I hate that.

4. Holding on to promises. There are over 7000 of them in the Bible waiting to be claimed, waiting for us to grab onto like blank checks. Here's one of them, Isaiah 40 "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youth grow tired. But those who hope in the Lord [circle this] will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint." Keep your hope in the Lord. Even more than that, keep your eyes focused on the hope of heaven, not just on the here and now. Focus on the hope of heaven.

If you're feeling grouchy, maybe you need grace too.