Chapter 8 Discussion Continued

Buck Up: Don’t Let Your Troubles Get You Down

A favorite saying of my family is, “Buck up.” In other words, don’t let your trial get you down. Did you know that God tells us a similar thing In I Peter 1:13?

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”

In the first century, a person prepared for a run by ‘girding up his loins’. This meant eliminating anything, particularly garments like a tunic that would cause him to stumble. To gird up our minds, therefore, is to keep yourself from thinking about anything that might interfere with your progress or cause you to stumble in your walk.

In Job 38:3, God says “Gird up now thy loins like a man;…” In other words, buck up buddy. Stop feeling sorry for yourself.

Does seem harsh, doesn’t it? Especially if you’re wallowing in self-pity that you claim is the natural grieving process.

Dwelling on our hardships keeps us from moving forward in victory. We have a hope. Let us focus on it.

We need to redirect our thoughts. When I consider God’s response to Job, God listed His superior abilities over man. He pointed to creation. In my life, I have found a hike up a mountain, or a horseback ride across the prairies, or gazing at the night sky especially therapeutic. In these places, a way from man’s inventions, I can see God in His handiwork. And in seeing Him, I am reminded of His majesty and greatness. This becomes the perfect environment for lifting up my hands and praising God.

When we gird up our minds and praise and worship God, even as Job did in Job 1:20-22, we can find God. Psalm 22:3 says:

“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel.”

When Judah, under Jehoshaphat’s rule, heard that a great multitude was coming against them, Jehoshaphat appointed singers to praise God when they faced their enemies. II Chronicles 20:21-22 says:

“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth forever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Mob, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.”

We can face our trials by girding up the loins of our minds and turning our thoughts to praising God even in our darkest hours. He will inhabit our praise, revive our spirit, and give us the victory.