So you are having one of those days. The alarm didn’t go off, you are out of deodorant, you can’t find your book, you can’t find your keys, and you make a ton of noise getting to your seat. Everything that could possibly go wrong, goes wrong.

We have all had those days. Those are the days that either make you or break you. Those are the days that can either make you stronger or make you lay down and quit.

I want to tell you the best advice for when you are having a bad day: Keep on keeping on. We all have bad days, there is no way of getting around that. We will have times when literally everything that could go wrong does. The important thing is how you react to them. If we all just gave up every time something didn’t go our way, then nothing would ever get done. You need to always keep the big picture in mind. Don’t let this one bad chapter define your entire story.

Always remember the good things in life. When you get out of bed and go through a bad day, think about the people who have it worse than you. Sometimes this perspective can make us realize that we actually have it pretty good. I am going to challenge you to see the best in life every day. When you get down on those bad days, take a step back and really take a look at how good your life really is.

Always remember that things will get better. I know that you may be saying “I have been in this never ending slump for such a long time.” Things will get better. I have found that life is all about making it the best it can be. When you have a miserable day, do your very best to make sure that tomorrow is better.

As an engineering student, I always try to look at the problems I have from the big picture first. Sometimes, there is a big obvious problem that I can fix and solve right away. Most of the time, however, I have to read and look and read and look and ask someone else for a little help, and then I find the problem. It is here that I make a plan to solve the problem. I make all of my calculations and get my toolbox ready and then I get my solution. This is exactly what we need to do during those bad periods in our life. See if the problem is an easy one to fix. If it is, knock it out. If not, then look at the finer details. Find out what you need to change. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Things will get better, it just takes some effort to make change.

Lastly, the most important thing: Always remember who is in control. We can make all of the plans we want until our heart is content, but nothing will go right until you put God first in everything you do. So often, we can get in the grind of life and forget to rely on God to take care of us. I am a firm believer that bad times will come to everyone, whether you have been a believer for years, are completely against all things God, or anything in between. The bible says they will.

But I can promise you that if you just let God take control in your life, things will get better. Will things always be a cake walk? No way, but when you believe in God and let Him lead, you have three things that others don’t: Faith, something to believe in because you haven’t seen it physically YET. Hope, the thing that lets us know that better things are coming, regardless of how bad they are now. Most importantly, love. It is a love that no human can give you. It’s sweeter than the love of your parents, friends, husband, wife, or anyone else.

Things will get bad for everyone. It is unavoidable. When they do though, don’t stay in that bad place longer than need be. Always remember the good things, know that things will get better, and remember who is really in control.