IT’S NOT ABOUT HOW HARD YOU CAN HIT

(Post by: Madie Hobbs)

Just recently, my dad, brother, and I started watching the “Rocky” movie series, and as usual, I was able to reap some valuable movie watching wisdom!

In the final movie, Rocky tries to impart some deep, inspirational advice to his son, who was completely unhappy with his life, and who felt like a failure. Many of you may know this quote, but I want you to look at it in a bit of a different light today.

Rocky says, “Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place, and it’ll beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. ‘Cause you, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it’s not about how hard you can hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth, go out and get what you’re worth, but you’ve got to be willing to take the hits. Not saying you ain’t where you want to be because of him, or her, or anybody. That’s what cowards do and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!”

I know, inspiration, 1,000%

The reason I really love this quote is not only because it is so motivational, but because it is also deeply spiritual. I believe that this simple quote, from a boxer from Philadelphia, perfectly describes the Christian life.

Every time I hear this wisdom, I am reminded of all the things in life I can’t control. I’m reminded of all the times I’ve failed. Of all the times my family has been hit so hard by the world, that I couldn’t help but wonder how we were ever going to rise again. Of all the times I have felt bruised and battered, and like I have nothing left.  But then, I am also reminded of the nail-pierced hand that reaches down from Heaven and pulls me out of the ashes and says, ‘Come on, Madie. I made you so much stronger than this. You still have fight left in you, now get up and use it. I’m right here with you.’

You see, dear reader, we always have someone walking right next to us who has had the world throw its fist at him harder than any of us can even imagine. That man is Jesus, our Lord, who shouldn’t have had to experience the heat this world can bring. But He did anyway, for you and me, and every other human being that will ever walk on the face of this earth.

I know. Life hits pretty stinking hard sometimes. But let me ask you, what are you really taking the hits for?

Right now, are you just getting hit for spreading drama at work? Or for wearing something you know you shouldn’t be? Or maybe for falling into friend groups where you know you’re going to be asked to do things you know aren’t right?

Or are you getting hit for being the person that shuts down the drama right when you hear it? Or for making modest clothing choices that other people may think are lame? Or for separating from friends because you realize they are dragging you down?

Let me tell you, I’ve been hit for a little bit of all those things at one time or another. But the moment I made the decision to not get hit for my stupid decisions, but for the truth I want to spread about Jesus, the atmosphere completely changed in my boxing ring.

Because I can’t hit as hard as life. There are things I can’t control. There are people around me who want to see me fail. I am weak.

But I know who can hit harder than life. When I started living for Jesus, it didn’t matter how hard I got hit, because I was getting hit for the right reasons, and I wasn’t relying on my strength.

You see, when you’re getting hit for the eternal stuff that satisfies you to your very soul, the pain isn’t quite as sharp as it used to be.

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1Corinthians 15:58)

Let me tell you something you already know. We are weak. We are incapable of succeeding in this world on our own. We can’t hit as hard as life. But it isn’t about how hard we can hit, how strong we are, or how successful we are.

It’s about how hard we can get hit, and keep moving forward.

SO WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?

= What are you really taking the hits for?

= What are you going to do differently?