How to embrace the suck

Lately, it seems that life has been more challenging than usual. I’ve experienced various incidences that have tested my patience and perseverance. Whether the family contracts COVID for the third time or clients are not paying, I occasionally wonder what’s happening.
In the past, my wife has been a phenomenal sounding board for these situations.

Over almost twenty years of marriage, I’ve unloaded countless stories of doubts, frustration, and hope. Throughout those years, she listened intently and offered insight when needed. I tend to talk these things out and eventually arrive at some resolution. However, as I heard myself talk this time, it sounded more like complaining.

It seemed like I went on about how crummy things were. I complained about things needing constant fixing, never-ending chores, and commitments. Then, finally, after listening to me for a long time, my wife gave me a brief and poignant response.

“Yea. Life is tough. You need to tough it out. Who said it was going to be easy?” If you knew my wife, you’d see this response is not typical of her.
On the contrary, she is usually very consoling and supportive. Initially surprised but quickly encouraged, I replied, “You’re right! I need to embrace the suck.” “I don’t know what that is, but if it means to tough it out, then yes,” she replied.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it’s often used in the military to motivate weary soldiers “to consciously accept or appreciate something extremely unpleasant but unavoidable for forward progress.” Somehow I’d fallen into the trap of thinking that life must always be easy. My wife, however, wisely reminded me of this falsity.

Scripture warns us that we will have trouble in this fallen world. Regardless, we’re to persevere because, with God, there is a purpose, and he gives us the power to do so. There are no guarantees of an “easy” life. Instead, the Christian life is all about growth and progress through struggle. However, we overcome by resetting our mindset to “embrace the suck” by reading scripture, praying, and encouragement from fellowship with other believers.

Daily Directive:

Answer and Journal the Following

Read:

John 16:32-33
Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. ³³ I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Pray:

Pray for the strength and perseverance to overcome your situation(s).

Meditate / Make It Real:

Contemplate and meditate on or memorize the passage. What is God saying to you? Then, determine what you will do with what you’ve learned.

Share / Show:

Share and show what you’ve learned with someone else.