‘Suck it up’. As I reflected on the words they drove home the need to do just the opposite.

My usual ‘deal and get on with life’ attitude finally forced the lesson that one could only suck it up for so long until leaks start springing in the most inconvenient places.

Like most of us, life’s battles had occasioned setbacks and tears, but throughout I still valued the idea of ‘sucking it up’ (mixed with the faith that, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. (Philippians 4:13)

However a ‘perfect storm’ hit and ‘sucking it up’ felt as possible as un-sinking the Titanic with a dixie cup. What I’d previously ‘sucked up’ inevitably overflowed, and though I was graced with the identification with the Psalmist’s cry, “All night I drench my bed with my tears” (Psalm 6:6), I admit that the comfort derived from any spiritual consolation was slight as the rest of my being violently protested.

My outward circumstances have not much changed, yet God (Thankfully!) has calmed the storm inwardly, renewing my thoughts and vision which, though there are still challenges, has made all the difference. (Once again I am beyond amazed by the power of prayer.)

Though I cringe at the thought of being there again, I am grateful for the increased understanding and compassion (for others AND myself) the journey has produced. (Yes, it all comes back to what everything is all about: Love… and learning how to…)

‘Sucking it up’ is no longer an ideal, but learning to value, process, and thrive through all facets of life, rather than favoring what appears to reflect ‘strength’ and putting off what appears to reflect ‘weakness’.

Though I strongly believe in ‘fighting the good fight’ (1 Timothy 6:12), and that we can indeed do ALL things through Christ, AND be “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37), AND feel the Lion of Judah’s power ROAR through us…

I now see that fighting the good fight may not always look so valiant in the moment; it may sometimes look more like huddling in a life-boat surrounded by a cold, dark ocean of (insert your dreaded circumstance here), watching our Titanic sink, clinging to faith in the Faithful One, however desperately.

“And He said to me, “… My strength is made perfect in weakness”.  2 Corinthians 12:9 (Webster)