Shake it Off and Step Up
(By Eugene Williams & Jo Walters)
A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's
well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying' - or - whatever mules do when they fall into
wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but
decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving.
Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened . . . and
enlisted them to help haul dirt to BURY the old mule in the well and put him out of his
misery. Initially, the old mule was hysterical!
But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back . .
. a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt
landed on his back . . . HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!
This he did, blow after blow. "Shake it off and step up . . . shake it off and
step up . . . shake it off and step up!" he repeated to encourage himself. No matter
how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought
"panic" and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!
You're right! It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED
TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL! What seemed like it would bury him, actually
blessed him . . . all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.
THAT'S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to
give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity . . . THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY
US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT AND BLESS US!
Remember that FORGIVENESS - FAITH - PRAYER - PRAISE and HOPE . . . all are excellent
ways to "SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP" out of the wells in which we find ourselves!
"'I have told you these things, so that in
me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have
overcome the world.'"
(John 16:33 NIV)
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