Struck Down, but not Crushed

Words penetrated my heart deeply. I felt crushed, beat up, and hurt.
I was knocked down, but would I stay down?

 

Redemptive stories inspire me. I relate to them.

I love the film Rocky for this very reason.

One of my favorite scenes is when Apollo knocks him down in the ring, and he’s down. I mean, Rocky is beat up, bleeding, face down, kind-of-down.

The crowd goes nuts and they scream, “Get up!”

I find myself cheering him on too – out loud! “Come on! Get up! Fight!”

We need to be like Rocky. Rocky had grit.

True Story Ahead

One day this past week, I was punched. Words struck me down. I was knocked down hard. I won’t say what words or who said them, but my deflated heart hurt.

After I slipped into bed that night, tears rolled down my face. In my silent pain, I heard these soothing words, “I’m sorry, Michelle, once again you’ve been hurt. I love you.”

That was the quiet, validating voice of my God.

“I see your heart. I feel your pain. I’m sorry those words were spoken,” He said.

“Me too,” I replied while another tear seeped into my pillow.

“Michelle, I know you know this, but you’ll need to forgive. I know it’s hard to do, but I know you’ll forgive. You’re strong. You know what else I know? You’ll treat that person with kindness,” Jesus whispered.

“I know I will too. But right now, I’m feeling human. My heart hurts,” I said.

“You’re right. You are human, and you are hurt. Someone has hurt you, but it’s not who you think it is. Your enemy is not that person. Let me remind you the devil has come to hurt you. Once again he succeeded wounding you through someone’s words. But you can be stronger. You can get back up. You can forgive because you are strong,” the Lord spoke.

I lay quietly a bit longer, pondered God’s words, and wiped my tears. Then I thought, “Wow! Words really do bring life or death.”

Choose Grit

This past week I’ve thought about Rocky. The image of him choosing to get back up and fight is one I use to spur myself on. Rocky is not the only one who has grit! I do too!

I know the person who spoke hurtful words to me is not my true enemy. I know the devil uses people in strategic ways to put the pressure on us. He knows our tender spots. Just like Apollo knew where to punch Rocky to knock him down.

BUT, Rocky’s inner strength encouraged him to get back up! Fight with all you have. But first, you have to get back up.

Sure I was struck down, but I didn’t allow the hurtful words to keep me down. I got back up. I’m not crushed.

This person doesn’t even know how pained my heart was by those words, but here’s what matters. I know. God knows too. I also know, like Rocky, my inner strength helped me get back up and fight.

I forgave. That’s how I fought my real opponent. I listened to my Coach’s wisdom. I didn’t have to throw a punch either. I just had to forgive. Good thing because I’m not a boxer! 🙂

I’m sharing my story to encourage you in three ways:

1. When words come to crush you, forgive. Then they have no power to destroy you.
2. Use your grit! Get back up! When you’re knocked down, you don’t need to stay down. Did you know suffering produces grit, and grit builds our character? (Romans 5:3-5)
3. Choose your words wisely because they really do have the power to bring life or death to someone’s heart. (Proverbs 18:21).

[callout]Scripture Encouragement: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).[/callout]