One of the best things my father ever taught me was, “Never let anyone else decide what kind of day you’re going to have or what kind of person you’re going to be.” He was usually telling me this wisdom when I came crying to him about some ornery thing my brother had said or done. At the time, I just wanted my dad to scold my brother for being ornery. However, he knew that he would not be able to correct every person that came into my life and hurt my feelings or made me cry. My Dad was trying to help me realize that allowing someone else that kind of power in my life was giving them power that only God should have. God, and God alone should be the One to decide what kind of day I’m going to have or what kind of person I’m going to be.

Throughout my life, I have recognized that this wisdom can be used over and over again, not just on ornery brothers, but other prickly people.

- You can use it when it comes to the church lady who has to let everyone know ALL the gossip.

- Use it on the fella who cut you off in traffic.

- Use it when dealing with people who are unkind to your children.

- You can even use it on your willful child who seems to know just the right buttons to push to send you into “Crazy Mommy” mode.

No matter who the person is, they should NOT get to decide what kind of day you are going to have or what kind of person you are going to be. Only GOD should have that power.

Along the way, I’ve also realized that I can use this wisdom when it comes to hard circumstances that come my way. Hard times WILL come. We cannot control when they will happen, but we can decide what our response to them will be. Many things in life can knock the props out from underneath us.

- The loss of a job

- A wayward child

- A cancer diagnosis

- The death of a loved one…etc

Satan will use any number of things to try to make us bitter or angry or jealous or even spiritually paralyzed. As a Christian, we can decide to give God the hard circumstances that come our way, then, sit back and watch Him use them for our good and for His glory. Only GOD can do that!

Don’t let anyone or anything but God decide what kind of day you are going to have or what kind of person you are going to be!

Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Isaiah 26:3-4, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: