Sometimes a bad mood is situational. Sometimes we “wake up on the wrong side of the bed” and nothing seems to go right. Sometimes, we are just “hangry.” Whatever the case may be, we still have a choice.

In March 2023, I took the kids with me to see Acappella. I loved getting to share this experience with them. On the way there (a 45-minute drive), my son was a grouch. We went early enough to eat Chick-fil-A for supper, and I splurged for cookies. His attitude improved as he ate (hangry is a real struggle, especially for growing teenage boys who burn calories faster than they can consume them). I slid his cookie over to him, and he said, “I don’t deserve this treat.” I said, “That’s why it’s called grace.”

In Genesis 6:5 (ESV), “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” He destroyed all of creation, except for Noah, his family, and a remnant of animals, with a flood. Even before this, God had a plan to redeem His creation, despite our continuous rejection. Ephesians 1:4–5 (NLT) says, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.”

From the beginning of creation through the foundation of the church, we read that no one is good, not even one (Psalm 14:1–3; Psalm 53:1–3; Romans 3:10–12). We also read instructions throughout the Bible for the way to turn to God (Deuteronomy 10:12–13; James 4:7–8).

At this time, my son was studying the book of Romans with the high school Bible class at our congregation. I didn’t study this book until college. He was discovering the beauty of this book a few years earlier than I did. Romans gets to the heart of the Gospel.

In chapter five, Paul records these words, “But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him? For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (vs. 8–11, BSB).

The next time you find yourself in a bad mood, remember God’s great love for you. Give yourself grace, and maybe eat a chocolate chip cookie.