Back in the Good Old Days of my teenage years, I was in a garage band called the “Mystic Blue”. Garage bands were popular in the 1960’s as kids would start a band with guitars, drums, etc… And they usually practiced in somebody”s garage ( probably because it was too loud to be in the house). Our first “gig” ( concert) was quite an experience. We had matching outfits.. Blue pants, blue Oxford shirt & sandals…We had gone to the hardware store and got some blue flood lights and mounted them on a long board. We had a foot switch that I operated while playing my bass guitar.

Our outside concert started out ok but then it began to rain… We were in the middle of a loud song in which I started clicking the blue lights on and off with my foot…in a wet sandal…POW! Quite a shock! I was jumping up and down and ever time I came down on that foot switch…POW! Another shock and up in the air I went and then back down and did it again and again…The band & audience thought I was dancing & putting on a show…my hair has been more curly ever since that “electrifying performance”. I even may have accidentally did the first ever laser light show…

You know there are some days we do well just to survive and call it a day. Let me share with you some things the Lord has taught me and about how to keep going even when things aren’t going well in your life:

1. Remember God loves you and He will not give up on you. I really like the way my friend, Dr. Nelson Price translates Hebrews 13:5 ” God has said I will never, no never, not ever abandon you, send you back, leave you behind, give up on you or cause you not to succeed. ” Wow, that is how much God loves and cares for you and me even when everything else in our life doesn’t make sense. Isn’t that amazing how powerful is His love for us cannot be limited by our circumstances?

2. Stop and count your blessings each day. “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 NIV). Don’t just keep your mind on all the negative things going on around you, rather focus on what specific things you can be thankful for and pray for others.

3.Do something constructive today for yourself and others. Call a friend or family member you haven’t talked to in a while and reconnect. Start reading a good book that would uplift you. Take a walk at lunch or get together with someone for a meal. There are so many little things we can do to give ourselves a break and refresh our spirit. This will enable us to keep going and keep our balance in daily lives.