Remember reading the children’s book, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” to your kids or grandkids? Poor Alexander had a lot of unpleasant things happen to him in one very bad day. People and things seemed to be working against him. This caused him to complain, feel defeated and angry, and determine to move to a better place far away. (Australia). Every one of us can commiserate with him. We’ve all experienced days when things go wrong. Sometimes it’s simply a broken washing machine, but it could be a life-altering diagnosis. Maybe it’s just that we run out of ‘Uumph’ before the job is done and our ‘Umph’ turned into an ‘Ugh’. We start out with good intentions, high hopes, and bright ideas. We want to be good parents, help others, provide for our families, accomplish career goals, be a loving spouse, and enjoy life. But when things take a left turn, take way too long, or turn out to be impossible, we run out of resources. We often get impatient, angry, and/or discouraged. It might be a thing like a car, washing machine, computer, or phone that fails us when we need it. Or it might be a person who fails us and disappoints us. It might be a whole system, like the company we work for, or the health care system, or the government that fails us. Very often is our own selves that fail us. Our bodies get sick, hurt, or old. Our ‘get up and go’ gets up and leaves. Our skills aren’t sufficient to accomplish the task. Our egos get in the way of cooperating with others. Our patience wears mighty thin. We retaliate in anger when we’re crossed. We may eventually get so discouraged that we quit trying.
We have choices as to how we cope with bad experiences, failure, and disappointment. We can drown our feelings in self medications like overindulging in shopping, eating, entertainment, play, work, or even substances. We can try to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps with positive philosophies which often actually do help because many contain truth that originated in Scripture. These positive ways of thinking contain wisdom from God but don’t acknowledge him as our Source and Supplier. (Some vaguely credit him, but call him some impersonal name like the Universe or Nature.). But how are believers in God supposed to cope with the vicissitudes of life?
Since our Creator formed us, he knows just what we need to keep going. He knows we aren’t enough in ourselves and he doesn’t castigate us for that. All along He planned to do for us what we can’t do for ourselves. And he doesn’t do it begrudgingly. He invites us to admit we need him and ask him to help us. Then he willingly steps in. He is delighted to provide what we need. He has more than enough to give us everything we lack. He has a good plan for taking care of us. 
He cares for us by giving us his own Spirit to live with us and connect us to himself.
“And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.” Ephesians 1:13
His Spirit helps us pray.
“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” Romans 8:26
His Spirit helps us understand and remember the Scriptures.
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard.” John 16:13
His Spirit puts strength in our souls.
“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand.” Ephesians 1:19
His Spirit gives us guidance
“With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. In your might, you guide them to your sacred home.” Exodus 15:13
His Spirit enables us
“We say this because we have confidence in God through Christ. There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work. The capacity we have comes from God; it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant, which consists not of a written law but of the Spirit. Another translation reads, “It is God who makes us able to do all that we do [But our ability/competence/adequacy is from God].” 2 Corinthians 3:4-6
“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
His Spirit enables us to keep doing what’s right and never give up
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy . . .” Colossians 1:11
He cares for us by using others to encourage and strengthen us.
We were created to be relational beings. We crave love, care, and acceptance. When we’re operating as God intended, we give love, care, and acceptance. God planned for humans to have companionship. He formed Eve because it wasn’t good for Adam to be alone. He ordained his church to meet together locally for mutual help. He intends for each believer to use their gifts to benefit others. In this way, he cares for us by using believers to care for us and allowing us the privilege of caring for others by building them up, encouraging them, and providing for their needs.
“But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.”1 Corinthians 8:1
“. . . so that all the members care for each other”. 1 Corinthians 12:25
“and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith.”1 Thessalonians 3:2
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” 1 Peter 4:10
Next time you’re having a bad day or a bad week, month, or life remember that God helps us. He provides what we lack through the help of the Holy Spirit and the help of others in the church. (Of course, he can use whoever he chooses to help us but his plan is for us to be in a local body of believers where we give and receive on a regular basis.)
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Jesus in John 16:33