Suck it up buttercup.

It’s a phrase I’ve heard many times: suck it up, buttercup. When the going gets tough, the tough suck it up and do what needs to be done. Right?

When we are whining because we don’t want to do what needs to be done, and we are perfectly capable of doing the thing, this phrase might be appropriate. It’s cute and just pithy enough to awaken us to our own ridiculous self-pity and get ourselves moving in the right direction.

When we are exhausted, overwhelmed, or incapable of a next step for any reason, there is only so much we can do before we run out of strength and can no longer keep going on our own. If you are in that season now, or have ever been, let me just remind you of what God has to say about it.

When we repent and rest in God, he will strengthen us (Isaiah 30:15).
When we cry out to God, he gives us boldness and strength (Psalm 138:3).
God answers our faithful prayers (Mark 11:24).
When we wait on God, and don’t run ahead, he gives us the strength to run and not be weary (Isaiah 40:31).

Our loving God invites us to stop trying to suck it up, and start soaking him in. Turn to him, and away from the temptations of this world. Rest in him, wait on him, and pray with a believing heart that he will strengthen you with a renewed boldness you have never known before.

Jesus sucked it up and paid the ultimate price for us because God knew we needed a savior, and he still doesn’t expect us to save ourselves from our sin or even from a bad day. Maybe today, my weary buttercup, it’s time to stop trying to suck it up and start soaking him in.