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I read this story and thought it had a great message to never give up when
trials come our way. As I was reading the story Psalm 34:19 came to
mind, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth
him out of them all."
I hope you enjoy the story.
SHAKE IT OFF
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, told them what
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!
Author Unknown
That's how life is! If we face our problems and respond to them
positively, refusing 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 are all excellent ways to "shake it off and step
up" out of the wells in which we find ourselves!
I encourage you to turn every negative situation into something positive.
Never let satan make you feel that God has forgotten you or does not love
you. There is not a mountain high enough or an ocean deep enough to
separate us from the Love of God. (Read Psalm 139:9-10)
I encourage you to just Praise the Lord right now for all the things He
has brought you out of. God is a deliverer and will always meet your
needs on His perfect time. I know it's hard to thank God when things are
not working the way we want, but this is what pleases the Lord; that He
will see our eyes focused on Him, no matter what the situation.
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every
thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you."
Deuteronomy 4:30-31 "When thou art in tribulation, and all these things
are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy
God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is a
merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget
the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them."
Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid
of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will
not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
All scriptures can be found in the KJV.
In Christ Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry
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