Matthew West » Lessons Learned From a Lousy Day

Lessons Learned From a Lousy Day
October 13, 2010 - Comments (14)

Ever have one of those days when you find yourself repeating the sentence, “Surely, it can’t get any worse.”. And then it does??? And then you say it again… And then it gets worse again?! You know what I’m talking about? Well, today was one of those days for me. The setting? Atlanta airport. The villein? Delta Airlines. First, one delay, then another, and another… Until finally, they announced my flight to Asheville had been cancelled.

There were no other flights that would get me in in time for my scheduled performance. And this wasn’t just any performance. This was a special invite from a very important retailer that could really help my new record and my career. This was a big deal.

Standing in the long line of people waiting to be re-routed, the reality began to sink in that I had spent all day in this lousy airport only to fly right back home, thus missing my very important performance. They nice lady at the help desk said, “I’m sorry for your delay.”. I smiled and responded, “Delta just hurt my career today.” once again, she apologized. But as I walked away, I realized what a foolish statement I had made. That statement was evidence of my lack of trust. Trust that God is in control. I was trapped in this headspace, thinking God would allow some airline the power over my career. As if God is less powerful than an airline, or maybe unaware of all that is taking place. And to think, just yesterday the band and I had a devotional on the topic of thanking God for our problems. Boy, that’s a tough one!

Now that my nerves have subsided, and my worried mind has settled a bit, I am reminded that I serve a God who is far greater than a cancelled flight, or a missed opportunity. I serve a god who knows EVERYTHING. I serve a God who has my best interests at heart at all times. I serve a God who is always at work, orchestrating even the smallest details of my daily life.

And guess what? The same can be true for you. God knows you, he loves you, and he wants what’s best for you.
Who better to trust your life with, but the Giver of life himself!

Don’t let your “could it get any worse” circumstances get in the way of the promise that 1. It could always be worse… And 2. God is in control. Not you! (talking to myself)

No matter what I tried, I could not make an airplane fly me to Asheville today. And I have to rest in knowing that God is not surprised, and His plan is still very much in tact. So is his plan for your life.

POSTED BY:
meta

14 comments

1. Jennifer Eckert commented:

Wed 13/10/10, 11:40 am

this reminds me of your stories about the glass window and your arm & the vocal chord surgery. And as I write this comment, KLOVE starts playing You Are Everything…maybe a reminder…and I also thought about someone appeared to be in his ‘own little world’ at least for a moment. Who knows, maybe God will show you soon why you weren’t supposed to make it to Asheville yesterday.

2. Nora Kahal commented:

Wed 13/10/10, 1:06 pm

Matthew, I’m so sorry for what had happened with the delay. That stinks. God will make it up to you. I admire your faith. Your love for God shows through your music. This has been a rough year for me. A year ago, I lost my job. I spent the whole year wondering what God was doing. What I was susposed todo with my life. And then a year later, I meet you. I knew your songs. But, I didn’t put the name to the music. I have heard your songs over and over again on the radio. It was embarrassing when you were singing your songs to me at LIFeway christian store. I think that this new abulm is going to boast your career without that retail person. You are so talented Matthew. I think that you are better than Steven Curtis Chaplain and Chris Tomblin and the rest of the christian artist. You are by far the best christian artist I have ever heard. You sing for the gloryo f God. And you use your fame for furthering His kingdom! This record has changed my life. Meeting you was awesome. It was awesome going to your concert. I’m still looking for a job and wondering why God is doing hwat He is doing, but the song the motions speaks to me everytime. Evewry day I go through the motions and I guess that song is always speaking to me! You are an outstanding song writer and God will give you another opportunity!! Thanks for all thaty you do!

3. Brent commented:

Wed 13/10/10, 1:57 pm

Matthew, we’ve all been there and have had the same reactions. We are only human. Thanks for sharing what we all feel and reiterating to us that God IS in control. That brings up one of my favorite verses, Jeremiah 29:11.

All your songs touch us all in a special way, but your title track “The Story of Your Life” has really touched my 10yr old daughter in a special way. Thanks so much! My little girls are so excited that they’ll get to see you in concert on 10/28.

Keep up the great work Matthew! We’ll continue to pray for you on your travels as you share the word of God across the country!

4. Emily commented:

Wed 13/10/10, 2:21 pm

Lately God has taught me that I need to be patient and that He has a plan for me.
I tried out for the show choir at the college I go to now earlier this year. People told me I had a “pretty” voice and encouraged me to try out. I had never been in a show choir before and didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I knew that I was definitely not one of the strongest singers. The woman in charge told us that if we made the show choir, we would have to sign a contract that said if she wanted us to cut, color, or style our hair in a certain way, we’d have to agree to it. I got a letter a couple of months later saying I didn’t make it and I was very bitter. That was my moment to shine and I blew it.
I asked God if it was because I wasn’t a good enough singer and dancer.
I could hear God telling me that if I had gotten in, I would have to change the way my hair looks and I would be singing for the instructor’s approval. I would have been unhappy and that isn’t what God wanted for me.
I am glad I didn’t make it into the showchoir because God wants me to raise my voice in joy for Him, not for applause.
Matthew, thanks for sharing about trusting God. God works in mysterious ways and it can be tough to trust Him when things aren’t going your way. Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”
What I thought was a missed opportunity, God opened another door for me when I designed a t-shirt for my church’s youth group. I decided I wanted to start drawing designs for Christian t-shirts.

5. E. Carolyne commented:

Wed 13/10/10, 4:05 pm

I always tell myself, when the way is made tough, it’s God telling me something. Every time has proven to be just that… God making something not happen for my good, or for the good of my children. It has never failed. When the way is smooth, God’s Righteous Right Hand is in it.
I was disappointed, I received the email saying my story had been chosen for the new CD. I sent my picture…told all my family. Then, alas, no song, no picture. I felt like a fool. Did not listen to the CD I purchased until today (recvd it 10/6). I LOVE IT! It is so uplifting, encouraging and done in true Matthew West style, excellence. I was listening to a few of the songs and realized, it does tell my story. My story of struggle, miracles, and where I have come to find myself today. Thank you for this wonderful CD. I can hear my faith through your words, your compassionate heart. ecmm

6. Amber Mistric commented:

Wed 13/10/10, 5:12 pm

Lousy days are horrible! I just had a bad one myself but God pulled me thru it. My husband and i have been trying to concieve for five years now. We were devistated when the doctor told us we had a five percent chance of concieving. So we are adopting and event thou we are it still hurts to know that we cant have are own. I thought i was fine, but one day i got on the internet and saw one of my friends was pregnant and i broke down crying thinking why God why me. So i went to my car at work and cryed my eyes out. I went back inside and my friend Judy came to work and found me and said God told me you needed me so i cried some more of course. It was as if God was speaking thru her,as if she n
knew exactly what i was going thru. Then i realized i have to let go and let God, i get so caught up in what i want i dont realize what God has instore for me.Know doctor can decided my fate only God can.

7. diana commented:

Sat 16/10/10, 4:47 pm

I have learned over the years never to utter thoses words : Surely it can’t get any worse” and
” what next” because I will find out. I do have the peace that my GOD is grater than anything in the heavens and on earth but living through the bad is just a place I do not like to go. I know that God is good all the time and while I may be in a spot that I do not like, I am not alone and I know that in His plan, something will come from it, I just have to be willing to say okay God, I am willing, use me

8. alison commented:

Mon 18/10/10, 6:49 am

Matthew West I know how you feel cause I have gotten up set before cause I wanted to go see my best friend.I didn’t get to go see my best friend that day so I got mad.But then I did relize that it wasn’t in God’s plan for me to go see my best friend.But you know that next day was better I got to go see my best friend.You know it does drive us christians crazy when we don’t get what we want,but its in God’s plan some times we don’t know why he changes things but useally cause he has something better in mind. But I know how you feel i’ve been there before not in the same promblem but something like that.

9. Angela commented:

Mon 18/10/10, 9:22 pm

Hire me as your private pilot! I’ll get you there on time! I am a commercially rated pilot!!

10. Sandy commented:

Thu 21/10/10, 8:18 am

It’s also a reminder not to unburden ourselves on others that have not caused our misery. The poor lady behind the counter didn’t cause the flight to be canceled or the unintended consequences of the cancellation.

What an opportunity to show strength in the face of adversity and make that lady’s day by handling the change with grace. Mind you, I’m not implying rudeness or bad behavior on your part. Only highlighting the opportunity to shine our light to the world and thereby pique the curiosity of others how we can be downright cheerful in difficult situations. It can open dialogue that we trust this is not a big deal and our faith is in God.

Let’s save our burdens for the Lord. Asking for the grace in our lives to handle them with peace and the awareness to share the grace with others.

11. debbie commented:

Fri 22/10/10, 1:28 am

Your concert tonite spoke to me in many ways…especially healing. When I was 18, I was date raped because the guy I dated was much older & he knew I was saving myself for marriage. I kept going out with him due to guilt feelings (for even being at his apartment alone) for 6 more years. I got pregnant right away and didn’t want to embarrass my family and didn’t know how they’d take the news…I thought they’d kick me out of the house so I got an abortion. It took me many years to get over it…God healed my mind! Then when I was 24, I was diagnosed with cancer and was told I had only 7 months to live. Doctors wanted to do a hysterectomy but when they got inside, they found it spread to my lymph nodes so they closed me back up & opted to do radiation & chemo, hoping I’d make it to Christmas. During this time, my boyfriend of 6 yrs left me and wouldn’t visit me in the hospital. I felt depressed until a friend told me about Jesus’ healing power & I just had to believe. I felt the healing power go thru my body and I knew God healed me! I didn’t have the chemo…God healed my body! I got married a few years later to a man that knew I couldn’t have children and so we adopted (it was a miracle we got her, long story). Then we tried to adopt several more times but the doors closed each time, even to the week of having another. God knew what He was doing, I told myself. After 14 yrs of marriage, my husband was killed in a car accident 2 blocks away from home. God knew he would bring more people to Him that way and he did…125 people gave their hearts to Jesus at his funeral service! God gave me the peace that surpasses all understanding…God healed my aching heart! That was 6 yrs ago and only 4 mos ago, I was given a 2nd chance to start over and married a very dedicated husband and father who loves the Lord with all his heart! Thank you Jesus for my story!

12. Ken from Downers Grove commented:

Thu 28/10/10, 1:54 pm

Matthew

We met you after the concert in Wisconsin. Thanks so much for making us feel like old friends even though Machell and I went to DGS. The show was fantastic and very spiritual. Appreciate what you are doing for His glory. Its great to see a fellow “Grover” doing something that makes a difference.

Make sure you tell Josh Wilson he is the best guitar player I have ever heard.

May God continue to use your given talents to encourage and challenge His people!

Ken and Machell Enke

13. Sarai commented:

Wed 10/11/10, 10:03 pm

This is exactly what I needed to read. May God keep on using you and may HE bless you greatly. I had a really lousy day yesterday and I was really sad. After reading this I felt better and I know God will work things out. All I have to do is trust in Him. Thanks for sharing this!