History Main / GodForADay

The character may love it at first, indulge in several whims, fulfill some wishes but then they may find themselves getting DrunkWithPower or finding that they can't handle all the responsibilities associated with the power so well, each well meaning move being a blunder that leads to more to fix. These difficulties may cause a SuddenHumility. If things turn disasterous, expect an Aesop about how RealityWarpingIsNota oy

The character may love it at first, indulge in several whims, fulfil some wishes but then they may find themselves getting DrunkWithPower or finding that they can't handle all the responsibilities associated with the power so well, each well meaning move being a blunder that leads to more to fix. These difficulties may cause a SuddenHumility.

* ''StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' - in the episode "Hide and Q" Q gives such powers to Riker and makes, unknown to Riker, a bet with Picard: Picard thinks that Riker will reject Q's offer and bets the Enterprise herself on him against Q offering to never bother them again. Picard wins after Riker finds every gift he tries to give to his friends rings hollow.

* Subverted with {{Thanos}} of Titan. Whenever Thanos becomes omnipotent (whether by the Infinity Gauntlet, Cosmic Cube or the Heart of the Universe), he is typically able to handle the responsibility, at least initially. However, this is nearly always bad for everyone else as Thanos as a tendency to try destroying the universe whenever he can. When he loses the power, Thanos often wonders if he was worthy of it in the first place.

-->-- Abraham Lincoln

The character may love it at first, indulge in several whims, fulfil some wishes but then they may find themselves getting DrunkWithPower or finding that they can't handle all the responsibilites associated with the power so well, each well meaning move being a blunder that leads to more to fix. These difficulties may cause a SuddenHumility.

Compare: SubbingForSanta. Also see GodGuise.

* Another wager with godlike entities: Rachel of the ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'' was given the chance to become the ultimate fighting machine by Crayak. However such things are not much fun for a BloodKnight and it leaves only the satisfaction of sadisitcally snuffing out your enemies which is a road she doesn't feel comfortably going down when Crayak starting saying she is NotSoDifferent.

* Subverted with Thanos of Titan. Whenever Thanos becomes omnipotent (whether by the Infinity Gauntlet, Cosmic Cube or the Heart of the Universe), he is typically able to handle the responsibility, at least initially. However, this is nearly always bad for everyone else as Thanos as a tendency to try destroying the universe whenever he can. When he loses the power, Thanos often wonders if he was worthy of it in the first place.

Most men can survive adversity. If you want to test a man, give him power.
-->'''Abraham Lincoln'''

* In the cartoon ''[[Series/DungeonsAndDragons Dungeons & Dragons]]'' episode "Day of the Dungeon Master," Eric the Cavalier is given the practically limitless power of the Dungeon Master. He screws up a lot by being rather pompous but he actually ends up becoming very sagelike himself and even gets the capability to send everyone back to the real world but they stay because it would require him being left behind on his own.

Is similar to VictoryIsBoring or LonelyAtTheTop, in that things are now easy for the character and he wonders how best to use his powers when everything comes so easily to him.

* ''{{Supernatural}}'', "Appointment in Samarra": Dean is given the job of being Death for one day. He tries to let a little girl with a heart condition live, only to discover that letting someone live "against the natural order" sets off a cascade of other deaths, and he has to give up before the day is over, admitting that it's harder than it looks.

The character may love it at first, indulge in several whims, fulfil some wishes but then they may find themselves getting DrunkWithPower or finding that they can't handle all the responsibilites associated with the power so well, each well meaning move being a blunder that leads to more to fix.

* Another wager with godlike entities: Rachel of the ''{{Animorphs}}'' was given the chance to become the ultimate fighting machine by Crayak. However such things are not much fun for a BloodKnight and it leaves only the satisfaction of sadisitcally snuffing out your enemies which is a road she doesn't feel comfortably going down when Crayak starting saying she is NotSoDifferent.

-->'' 'Gimme back that wheel,' says GOD.
-->'I don't think you're quite ready yet.' ''

* {{Shel Silverstein}} toys with this in a poem called "God's Wheel" where God gives someone a chance "to be God awhile and steer the world." After a barrage of questions about the working hours, pay, etc., the offer is withdrawn. '' 'Gimme back that wheel,' says GOD. 'I don't think you're quite ready yet.' ''

* The plot of ''BruceAlmighty'': Bruce thinks that God does a rubbish job because...he was passed up for promotion in favour of his {{jerkass}} rival, he got fired after a breakdown, a gang of thugs beat him up and vandalised his car and [[RantInducingSlight his dog wasn't toilet trained]]. [[SmiteMeOhMightySmiter Rather than smiting him like a mighty smiter]], God gives Bruce the job. Bruce gives himself some frivolities, screws over a few people who annoy him, gets laid and has some really good coffee but alas God-like powers don't get you love and answering every prayer just makes things worse.

Compare: SubbingForSanta

* The plot of ''BruceAlmighty'': Bruce thinks that God does a rubbish job because...somebody was better at his job than him and he stepped in a puddle. Rather than smiting him like a mighty smiter, God gives Bruce the job. Bruce gives himself some frivolities, screws over a few people who annoy him, gets laid and has some really good coffee but alas God-like powers don't get you love and answering every prayer just makes things worse.

* There was a ''{{Flinstones}}'' episode, ''Boss For A Day'' where Fred is envious of his boss and the Great Gazoo turns him into a boss. He finds that it's actually a burden, since he has to deal with higher-ups, stay late in meetings, etc.

* There was a ''{{Flinstones}]'' episode, ''Boss For A Day'' where Fred is envious of his boss and the Great Gazoo turns him into a boss. He finds that it's actually a burden, since he has to deal with higher-ups, stay late in meetings, etc.

* Star Trek The Next Generation - in the episode "Hide and Q" Q gives such powers to Riker and makes, unknown to Riker, a bet with Picard: Picard thinks that Riker will reject Q's offer and bets the Enterprise herself on him against Q offering to never bother them again. Picard wins after Riker finds every gift he tries to give to his friends rings hollow.