Sucker-Punched!

Pictures say a thousand words, but this picture doesn't say it all. This guy is done for, or so it seems, but I would venture to say he got up after that punch and carried on and won a good many more matches, but just not this one. Just like this man, we need to go on when life knocks us down.

"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 NIV)

I've been knocked down by sucker punches, same as you, and I've been laid out just like that man above but more often than not, I've been curled up in the fetal position with lots of tears. Mine have come mostly because of health issues but some because of misunderstandings and emotional junk, and I won't even go into everything about work.  It's all part of being a middle-aged woman.  It's part of the journey.  And sad to say, I've thrown my share of punches at people I love.  Hate that.

Know what?  I don't have any answers except to hold on tight.  The journey is bumpy and curvy and roller coaster-ish.  The key is to stay focused on Jesus and when you lose that focus, try to gain it again ASAP!  Living life in the late 40's is like going through puberty all over again except backwards.  We seem to regress. I am not kidding!  And for all of you young'uns, maybe there will be a 'cure' for it before you have to go through what all of us are going through or have gone through.

Once you get to the other side, I hear it's wonderful.  :)  No, not Heaven -  Life after menopause.  I can't wait!  Until then, I try to maintain my focus and not drive my husband insane (and my friends) but nine times out of ten, that doesn't happen.  The others must learn to see the signs and run, because obviously I haven't learned yet.  My mouth spills out venom at the ones I love.  I become someone I'm not.  I don't understand and I don't even like to be around me.

Life is very hard whether or not you have chronic pain.  It's hard even if you aren't going through pre-menopause or have to be around a friend who is.  Sometimes we can be found laid out after some hard punches.

Lay there for a bit.
Feel God's healing power.
Let your friends lift you up.
Gain your focus again and do what God has for you to do.  No matter what.

We can be knocked down but we don't have to stay down.

And remember this verse because times will only get harder.

"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 NIV)

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