The phrase “embrace the suck” was new to me in the past several months. Embrace the Suck Meaning & 8 Lessons to Use in Your Life describes it this way:
In the military, there’s a saying that is very similar to the one I originally mentioned that urges people to “embrace the suck”. In military jargon, this means To consciously accept or appreciate something that is extremely unpleasant but unavoidable.
I think that perfectly describes what life is like right now. None of us would probably choose to be living through what we are, but it is unavoidable. It seems to me our choices are to:
- accept it and make the best of it
- rage against it in health-destroying anger
- allow it to crush us and fall into quiet despair.
For whatever reasons, God has put each of us here on Earth at this time and in the places where we each live. He has given us a circle of influence in our family, friends, church, community, and online.
I’m sure some people who read my blog are annoyed that I’ve been writing about The Fourth Turning and The First Turning. Those aren’t necessarily cheery topics although I am purposefully trying to point people to the hope of a better future in each of those posts. I’m sure others are less than thrilled that I posted four times this week, but they were all morning update audio posts about current events.
Guess what? Given the choice, I’d rather be doing something else. I’ve got a list a mile long of posts I’d like to write, ebooks I’d like to write, products I’d like to make, courses I’d like to record, etc. But right now none of those seem as important as trying to make sense of the suck in which we find ourselves and trying to help others do the same.
Part of the suck we’re living through is the propaganda war, information war, and gaslighting we and our loved ones are subjected to all day, every day. Who really wants to choose to spend their valuable life energy trying to stay one step ahead of the lies every day for years? It’s not what I would necessarily choose if given the option.
But I’ve chosen to embrace the suck and determine how God has equipped me to help others during this time of suck. I’m not going to accept the lies and go about my life quietly. If God can use me to save even a small group of people from falling into despair from the all-out suck war in which we find ourselves, then that’s what I’m going to do. I won’t do it perfectly, but I’m not going to allow a fear of being wrong at times keep me from battling against those who are literally trying to destroy us.
It’s not going to get better any time soon. I hope people realize that. The suck is going to continue for some time. In fact, I’m very certain that the suck is going to get worse before it starts getting better. There is nothing we can do to change that. All of what is happening must play out in order for everything to move forward. The only thing we can do is choose to accept it and ask the Lord to guide us through it. The more courage we get from the Lord, the more we can help other people see the suck for what it is and consciously make the decision to move forward as well.
But do you know what hasn’t changed? The beauty of Christ. Every time I record one of those morning updates, I encourage the listeners to go out and spread beauty that day. It’s important we are informed. It’s important we try to sort out the truth in the propaganda onslaught. But it’s vitally important we keep spreading the beauty of Christ.
We need to be a light to the world. We need to add beauty every single day. We need to speak with hope and assurance of a sovereign God. Do we have all the answers? No. But we cannot let that stop us from moving forward with truth, beauty, and goodness.
Embrace the suck. Laugh in the face of the suck. I say it all the time – laugh or cry. Laughter is good for you physically, emotionally, and mentally. Do not stop laughing. That’s not to minimize the difficulties around us. But we can’t meet the needs of others if we are falling to pieces under the weight of the suck.
In an emergency, you put on your own oxygen mask first and then help others. Consider that embracing the suck and asking God for guidance is the equivalent of that oxygen mask right now. Put on your oxygen mask. Make peace with where we are right now in history, push forward as the Lord leads you individually, and then help others who desperately need the beauty of Christ to get through the coming days, weeks, and months.
For more encouragement, check out these themes on my website.
Sallie’s Stack of Stuff – March 4, 2022
I wholeheartedly agree with you on this, Sallie!
Some days I’m weary trying to inform people, and keep up with it all. I believe that God has placed us here ‘for such a time as this!’
Keeping shining your light for Christ! Keep loving your family and helping your neighbors. Spread joy.
Sallie, I wish I could convey to you how much I appreciate and look forward to your posts. The morning updates have been amazing. May God encourage you and empower you to continue to provide information and insights. Bless you and thank you.
Thank you so much for all of your posts Sallie. I am truly grateful and am praying for you and your precious family.
Yes, so true. Learning to accept because only God is in control and I can only control what is in my personal power to. Christ is what I have to sustain me and lean upon and keep trusting that He will provide!
Thanks for your encouragement, Sallie. It truly is better to laugh than cry! I enjoyed reading this post so much, probably because I’m pretty battle weary right now. You’re right, though, there are some things we just can’t change. I appreciate your insight.