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When my friend left flowers (above image) on my desk recently they were brilliant, fully opened, and colorful. But a few days later they had wilted.

I didn’t pay much attention to them until someone walked into my office, sat down, and said, “You see those flowers? That’s exactly the way I feel!” She went on to share her heart. I tried to give her some perspective in life and a few encouraging Bible verses and thankfully she was feeling better by the time she left my office.

But her comment about my flowers reminds me of how fickle our lives can be. We can feel we are at the top of our game one day and totally down in the dumps the next.

A good friend of mine is hosting a lady’s conference with a great theme: “Patterns Of Our Lives.” Sometimes the pattern of the Christian is as up and down as a roller coaster ride. So often we allow the people and circumstances around us determine how we feel.

Maybe you find yourself drooping like those flowers this morning. You feel like you’re caving in with every passing moment. It’s no coincidence that you stopped by my blog when you did, I want to encourage you on how to improve life when you’re down.

“Excellence is the unlimited ability to improve the quality of what you have to offer.”  Coach Rick Pitino

Jesus said,

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10 NIV)

The Lord offers us an excellent, abundant, better than good life to enjoy at all times… regardless.

When I was checking out at the grocery store the other day the cashier looked at my total and said, “Wow, a palindrome! This is rare.” Obviously his words went way over my head. Then he explained, “Your total reads the same forwards and backwards.”

I was so excited about my first palindrome I wanted to take a picture of the cashier’s monitor but he wasn’t as thrilled as I was and got out of it quickly. So I had to take a pic of the receipt. Isn’t that totally cool? (my wife says I’m easily entertained)

You have a palindrome spiritual life that should be as amazing today as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow. The problem with us is that we allow people and circumstances to easily steal and wreck the satisfying life Jesus promised to give us.

So, let me remind you of few things you and I can do, among many, that can improve life when you’re down and dragging.

First, pinpoint the source of your frustration. Junk happens! Expect it. Sometimes it’s the sum of many things that drive you to the edge. But most often than not you can narrow down your frustration to one sore spot/subject.

Ask God for wisdom on how to manage that.

Trust Him to help you!

Look beyond the immediate. I came across a Bible verse recently that reminded me of that. It was written by king David. Check it out,

“But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands… let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me.” (Psalm 31:14-16, NLT)

When wilting like the flowers on my desk remind yourself that your God-given future is steady as a rock. There is a divine plan in the makings. Don’t ever lose sight of that! Then, pray for favor. Remind the Lord of how He has shined favor for others and ask Him to do the same for you.

Ok, then, as you’re trying to refocus, talk to someone you trust. Mind you, not just anyone will do. The one you talk to needs to be someone godly and upbeat, someone you fully trust that can lift you up.

Finally, force yourself to do something you love (cooking, reading a good book, frisbee golfing… I don’t know… whatever you enjoy).

The first we want to do when we’re down is retreat into inaction. Refuse to do that. And, with God’s help, progress in the right direction will happen. Thanks for reading!!