"Suck it up" and other Euphanisms

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.