It’s Okay to Not Always Be Okay

When I hear the remark, “you’ve handled this so well” in reference to my health journey I cringe a little. The statement invokes a fear in me that people may think I have it all together, or that they believe I’ve managed any of this through my own strength. I haven’t. The full story is much more nuanced and the only person who knows the nitty gritty other than me is God himself. I have struggled.

Every few months I have a bad day. A day where I experience feelings of frustration, weariness, or being overwhelmed by all that is still ahead.

I bet you’ve had one of those days, too.

Whether you are in the midst of a divorce, processing a tragic loss, on the mend after experiencing a long-term relationship fall apart, or unsure if the last big decision you made was the right one, it’s important to allow yourself the freedom to have a bad day.

Bad days are normal and it’s okay to not always be okay.

Grant yourself some grace if you feel the need to cry for no particular reason.

Grant yourself some grace if you need to cancel your evening plans and prioritize yourself instead.

Grant yourself some grace even if you yourself haven’t been particularly full of grace toward others while enduring the day.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV

Bad days are bound to happen. No one keeps it together 100% of the time–and God doesn’t expect it–so free yourself to experience a bad day or even a bad week if you need to.

When truly leaning into a bad day, I’ve questioned God and asked Him why this is part of my story. I’ve cried buckets of tears without really knowing the root cause. I’ve expressed anger toward others when I’m truly frustrated by the situation I’m in. I’ve failed to take note of the good, the lessons learned, the positive change that has been brought into my life.

God doesn’t ask us to shy away from expressing our emotions. He asks us to bring it all to Him.

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous to be shaken.
Psalm 55:22 NIV

Take the necessary amount of time to work through the difficult days and then press on. Accept the feelings of frustration, anger, uncertainty, doubt, fear. Then step back into living life to the full–the way God intended it to be.

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

Bad days always pass. When they come, grant yourself the grace that it is okay to not always be okay. A brighter day is always on the horizon when you seek the good.