I was playing a crucially important high school football game and as luck would have it I got kicked solidly in the groin. I was lying on the ground writhing around in excruciating pain and the trainer came running out on the field to check on me. I could hear a chant coming from the stands that went like this, “That’s OK – That’s all right – Come on Generals, Fight! Fight! Fight!”
I was thinking that things were not “OK”, nor were they “all right”, and the last thing I wanted to do was Fight! Fight! Fight! The trainer asked me how I was doing. I looked at him like he had lost his mind. I would have liked to have said, “Well just how do you think things are going you moron?” I did not answer because my eyes were bulging, and I could not catch my breath; the throbbing pain was making me dizzy. He looked at me sternly and said, “You need to shake it off and get back in there, we need you”. I looked at him and saw that he was actually serious.
Finally, the coach came on the field. Uh oh! Now our coach was sadistic and mean and he had no sympathy. He sternly told me in an icy cold voice to get up, that I was embarrassing him and the entire team then he turned away and started walking back to the bench. No linebacker of his was going to lay on the field and whine and I knew I better get up pronto! With the trainer’s assistance, I managed to get to my feet and stagger off the field and the people in the stands clapped their hands, whistled, and cheered. I faked a smile at them while wondering if they were insane or what.
A few plays later I was back in the game and continued to Fight! Fight! Fight! I was glad that I “shook it off” and resumed because I did not want to let my teammates down or heaven forbid act like some pansy in front of my coach. We won the close game and soon my injury was a distant memory, but the big win lasted for quite some time.
I was thinking about this today as I was praying for those who are suffering financially from high prices and a sagging economy. Things are worse than they have been lately, but that is no excuse for us to lie down and quit. We have a life to lead, and we need to get on with it despite obstacles and even pain. I often advise people to “work” don’t “worry”. Instead of wasting countless hours worrying about the high cost of gas which will accomplish absolutely nothing except maybe give you an ulcer, do something about it. Either start carpooling or obtain a smaller car, or motorcycle, or move closer to work, or something positive. Spend the useless hours spent worrying about it trying to find ways to make your budget work. Realize that there will be some discomfort but know that you can have an excellent life even if you do not drive a gas guzzling SUV or bright red muscle car..
Adversity is guaranteed to all in the Bible. We have fallen from the grace of God through disobedience and sin. One day we will be restored to our former glory. Until then we must stay strong and fight, fight, fight. Ask God for the strength that you need to fight the good fight. He is waiting for your call.
Proverbs 24:10
If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.