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 all are 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.