As parents, we have always told our kids to, "suck it up" when things got tough. If they had an injury in sports, a hard test or something was going wrong. This wasn't a phrase I was familiar with until I met Les. Evidently it's an expression used on the football field, tennis court and during sports practices. Please tell me if it's something inappropriate (shout out to the parenting class folks)!
As a believer in Jesus, I question the use of this expression. What exactly are we to tolerate as followers of Jesus? Are we to stand up for our faith when it would be easier to move on and forget it? Should we continue to expose ourselves and our children to people/situations/environments/groups/etc... that are harmful to their hearts? Does the bible tell us to tolerate those who's intent is harm and not good?
Here are a few scriptures that speak to me on this issue. First of all, the writer of Psalms tells us to, "guard our hearts as everything else flows from it." Psalm 4:23. To me, this clearly says that we are in charge of who/what has access to our hearts. We must choose to limit the things that bring us down and increase the things that build us up. What might bring us down? Inappropriate television shows, movies, music are a few things that come to mind. What about inappropriate people? I am thinking of those who would desire to harm you physically AND those who strive to harm you emotionally. Emotional harm is as long-lasting as physical harm; perhaps more so. There are many emotional wounds that take years to heal (and lots of therapy).
The writer of James expresses this thought perfectly! Here's a portion that speaks volumes into my life:
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1: 19-25.
I highlighted the section about humbly accepting the word planted in me. God's word has been planted so deeply in my heart that I cannot merely listen to the word! I am called to do what the word says and called to continue in the freedom Christ provided for me.
I wonder if by guarding my heart and humbly accepting the word planted in me I will overcome the trials of this life? I believe it with all my heart. Sometimes it's necessary to "suck it up" and sometimes it's necessary to stand on the word of God and refuse to be shaken.
Our citizenship is in heaven. We eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Phillipians 3:20
We are uncomfortable on earth because our place is in heaven. Jesus went there to prepare a place for us: for you and me. We look forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 2Peter3:12-14
Heaven is a place where the Lord promises us there will be no pain, sickness, tears or sorrow. I don't know about you but I crave a place like this. Daily, I long for a place devoid of pain: physical pain, emotional pain, relational pain; all pain. Why do we strive so hard to make our lives free of pain? Do we realize that Jesus himself felt pain during his time on earth? He was betrayed, spit on, beaten, shunned and hung on a cross. I can't imagine anything more painful than knowing you're the son of God and going through the humiliation of being crucified. That puts my pain in perspective!
This is not my home forever--just for a time. This temporary home is full of sin, famine, war, greed and evil. All I have to do is turn on the news and I am immediately reminded of the difference between heaven and this earth. Today I read on Yahoo about a mother who video-taped herself doing meth and then killed her husband, children and committed suicide. That's horrible! I don't know the extent of her pain here on earth but I do know the One who does.
What will heaven be like? The bible says heaven is a place of rejoicing. Acts 2:2 tells us that a sound like a "blowing violent wind" came from heaven. This wind was the Holy spirit. Acts 7:55 reminds us that Jesus is in heaven. Phillipians 3:15 encourages us to "press on to our heavenly reward". I have a choice to make: I can cling to the promises of heaven or hold on to the "riches" of earth. It's my choice and I choose heaven.
Heaven is a wonderful place. Full of Glory and grace and I wanna' see my savior's face. Heaven is a wonderful place! I wanna go there...
I need a little joy in my life this morning! Last night was a night of weeping and mourning...nothing catastrophic happened but there was definitely some drama. I know what you're thinking, a day in the life of any woman is full of drama. When you add three daughters who are becoming young women you up the chances of drama immensely! It was one of those nights: the night before a new beginning. I'm not referring to a huge change in our lives--good grief, it's not like we are doing a complete turn around or anything. No, we are not moving or changing jobs! The new beginning refers to a new semester of school and THIS mom's desire to have her girls in bed on time.
Sounds painless, doesn't it? Sounds like a pice of the proverbial cake. It might have been easier had I remembered that when you have a goal, it takes an objective to accomplish it (ala Sunday School lesson). I might have also reminded myself that no one likes for mom to hollar at them (I tried to say "hollared at" but luckily my grammar was corrected by this brainy computer of mine). In addition, I would be wise to keep the emotional fluctuations of a trio of young women (the girls) and one oldish woman (me) in mind when setting such a lofty goal. What was the goal, you may be asking yourself? My goal was to get the girls in bed by 10:30 pm on a school night. Good grief! It would've been easier to tie two cats together by the tail!!! I have never done this but I've heard it's challenging.
Yes, the girls were in bed by 10:30. No, they were not happy about it. If I had a "do over" or easy button, I definitely needed to push it last night. My heart was in the right place but my mouth got me in trouble (quit lol-ing those who know me well). My goal for tomorrow night is to give the girls advance warning that mom is going into "back to school mode." I came out of the blue and demanded that they shut down all electronics; shower; clean up their rooms; and charge lap tops IMMEDIATELY. What a departure this was from our Christmas break :) We stayed up late, ate when we felt like it and enjoyed time off. It's back to the school schedule and this mom is praying for God to give me a softer voice and kinder words tonight.
Help me remember the words of the Bible found in Psalms 30:5
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Help me to use a soft voice and plenty of understanding with my girls. They are so tender and so easily bruised. Their hearts are tender. Give me a tender heart as I raise them up in Your word, Lord!
Can you relate to this post? Have you ever blown it as a mom? I'd love to hear from you so that we can pray for one another. There is strength in prayer and two praying together can accomplish so much (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
