Deal with it! Have you ever said that to anyone? At the very least, wanted to? Maybe as a parent or guardian you told your kid that after they’ve voiced their opposition to a decision you’ve made that affected their social life. Or, maybe as a rebellious teen you said that to a parent or guardian? Maybe you daydream about telling off your boss and finishing your speech with a, “There! Deal with it!” Not saying you should do that—please don’t if you want to keep your position!
You may have spoken these words to someone or just thought about it, but have you ever told yourself “Deal with it”? Why would you say that to yourself? We all face trials, issues and struggles and it can be detrimental to our own well being when we avoid dealing with it. Ever do or say something and think it didn’t sound like you or have it leave you wondering where that came from? I’m going out on a limb here and say it may have come from an underlying issue you haven’t dealt with. It’s happened to me, it’s happened to you and I bet it’s even happened to the sweet elderly lady who sits in your pew at church.
If we’re honest with ourselves, we know the signs. The shorter or explosive temper that may reveal an anger management issue. The unexplainable, longer lasting feelings of sadness and hopelessness that warns of depression. The overwhelming sensations of anxiety that arise more frequently than before. We recognize the warning signs in others, why then are they so much more difficult to see in ourselves? Or are they? Maybe we just don’t want to deal with it!
So why is it so important to deal with it? Well, for one reason, to be a better you! Proverbs 15:13 tells us this, “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” Also we read in Luke 6:45b (NLT), “What you say flows from what is in your heart.” I don’t know about you, but I like speaking positive and life-giving words, but I can only speak from an overflow of what lies in my heart!
Another good reason is so you can be the best you for the people you love and who are in your life. We read in Proverbs 14:10, “Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.” And Romans 18:12 instructs us in this: “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” If there ever was a reason I dealt with all my issues as a young adult it was because of having kids and wanting to be the best mom I could be and raise my kids with joy!
And thirdly, until you deal with it—whatever “it” is—it will keep coming back to haunt you just like Goliath provoking the Israelites with cruel insults until David dealt with him. “Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites…When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.” (1 Samuel 17:8a & 11 NLT) “For forty days, every morning and evening, the Philistine champion strutted in front of the Israelite army.”(1 Samuel 17:16 NLT) “Reaching into his (David) shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.” (1 Samuel 17:49 NLT) David, however, knew he didn’t face that giant alone! God was with him as He is with you as you face your giants.
So how do we deal with it? Each person is different and we are all at different places with our struggles. If you feel you need counseling, then by all means go. If you feel a healthy talk with your pastor would be a good start, have the talk. I encourage you to read scripture in the area of your struggles as well. But whatever you do, don’t do nothing! Deal with whatever it is that keeps you from being who God created you to be and know that He intricately designed you for a purpose that only you can fill and rest easy knowing God is faithful. “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil 1:6
Will dealing with it be easy? Most likely not. Will it be worth it? Most definitely yes and you will find more moments to treasure along the way!
IF YOU ARE HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, PLEASE SEEK HELP IMMEDIATELY! Call 1-800-273-8255
Moments To Treasure 