This simply means don’t stay, remain, linger, stay put or get comfortable in the position you’re in because although it’s ok to have a pity moment, don’t tarry in it too long. Yea, you can get sick and tired of being sick and tired; you can get frustrated about never ending bills, the sickness that won’t leave your body and you can even get mad about never having enough even though you’re working like a dog but just take your moment then get up and smile. See, if you stay in your funk to long you get funky and once you’re funky no one will want to be around you. I know that’s it’s easy for me to say because I may look like I have it together but baby, I’m still human with issues too and although I may look like it’s all good it’s really all God so I’m just simply not looking like my problems because once I do the devil wins and he won’t get a free pass on my watch. No ma’am, no sir; so he can just get on out!
Yea see, the devil thought he would get me when granddaddy died but he was a lie because granddaddy had already prepared me for his leaving, so I overcome daily. The devil thought he had me when it looked like the money would run out before the bills but nawl, didn’t work either because I can’t stress over what I don’t have; I’ll pay what I can and the rest will wait. Oh, he thought he could get me by putting stress on my shoulders but it didn’t work either because me and stress don’t work well together which means one of us would have to go and I’m still here! Hmph, you have to claim yourself victorious every once in a while or you’ll eventually be defeated! Don’t allow worldly mess to send you hiding in a corner but once it backs you up against the wall, come out swinging. So what if your cable bill is due and your money is few; let it get cut off and then go rent some $1 movies from Redbox. So what if you don’t have the money to do your hair, wash it yourself and make it work. Your nails look a mess and you don’t have the money, polish them yourself. Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses because they are struggling too but they’ve learned to cover it well.
Child, haven’t I told you before that even folks with money have problems? Their problems might not be the same as yours but they still got them so before you go wishing for the lives of the Atlanta Housewives, the Basketball Wives or the Love & Hip Hop wannabes, you’d better pray for your own. You see all the glitz and the glamour but you’re not seeing the real behind the scenes stuff. Yea, you wished for Evelyn’s life but now you see she’s a victim of domestic violence … Why, because everything is not what it seems. While they are allowing cameras to follow them around showing the high life, their real life is lower than the ground they’re walking on. Money doesn’t make problems go away, oh it makes it looks easier but most times it brings a lot more problems with them. Why do you think the bible says in 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs (pain)?” I know, Lord don’t I know, how easy it would be to not have bills, past due bills, bill collectors calling and the inability to buy what you want but what else comes with it? You have a husband who makes all the money to give you the lavish lifestyle that you want when all you really want is a little more time with him. You have a job that pays you well that also provides for the lifestyle you live but when do you have time to enjoy it? Having money may make your problem easier to deal with but it won’t erase it.
So, whatever it is that you’re facing don’t let it win today, tomorrow or any of the days to come. If it’s money problems, Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” If it’s sickness, know that “this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison; 2 Corinthians 4:17.” If it’s heartache, Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” If its depression, Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” If it’s fear; Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” If its children with their rude attitudes and careless behavior, Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it,” and Proverbs 23:13 says, “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.” You’re better than your current circumstance; you’re greater than the stress, you’re more than the battle that is trying to win, so hold on. God didn’t make you a wimp but he made you a winner so declare this as your victory and let it be known. God didn’t make you the tail but he made you the head, so hold your head up high. God didn’t make you the borrower but he made you the lender, so take what’s yours. It’s ok to have a moment of weakness but don’t tarry in it for too long! Cry if you must, scream if you wish, take a walk if it’ll help, clean if it clears your mind, sing if it covers your sadness, have a glass of wine to ease the sorrow; do whatever you have to but don’t allow the lowness of your situation to overtake you because you are strong enough to get through it. You are but you have to believe it! Yes, you can do it so get up out of that dusty hole you’ve dug for yourself and make it happen. You’re the captain of your ship so if it’s heading for disaster, you’re the only one that can steer it to avoid it. You’re capable of getting over this mess, so act like it because God has made you strong because he made you in His image.
Lakisha, the Author 