Get Up, Dust Yourself Off, and Keep Going
From the NIV
Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:24)
When I was little, my mom taught me several things about life. One of them was this: “Whatever happens in life, get up, dust yourself off, and keep going forward.” At the time, I did not fully understand what she meant. Her words began to make sense when life began to happen.
I remember one occasion when I refused to listen to her. In anger, I went into my room and began packing my belongings, determined to leave and find somewhere else to live. My mom walked in and, without saying a word, began helping me pack, with tears in her eyes. I stopped, puzzled by her response. She later told me, “Never, ever hold anyone back.”
She explained that although it would hurt her, she was willing to let me learn what life was all about. Her willingness to help me pack did not mean she had stopped loving me. Looking back, I understand that she was teaching me something about love, letting go, and the consequences of our choices.
Then she reminded me: “Dear son, whatever happens to you in life, remember what I have demonstrated. Extend that same love to others, even when it hurts. Even in your deepest pain, learn to obey God, let go, and let Him lead you. But do not make decisions when you are angry.”
Those words have stayed with me. There are lessons we hear as children that we only begin to understand through adult tears. Disappointments, losses, broken relationships, and our own mistakes can bring a parent’s wisdom back to us with fresh meaning.
Getting up does not mean pretending we were never hurt. Dusting ourselves off does not mean ignoring what happened. Sometimes it means grieving honestly, accepting correction, asking for help, or taking responsibility for a decision we wish we could undo. Through it all, we can trust God to help us take the next faithful step.
We also need wisdom about when to move and when to pause. Anger can make a temporary feeling sound like a permanent instruction. Before we pack our bags, send that message, or speak words we cannot take back, we can stop, pray, and give ourselves time to respond with clarity.
Letting go may hurt. Obedience may cost us something. Loving others may require us to release what we cannot control while maintaining wise boundaries. We can offer honest counsel and loving concern while recognizing that we cannot make another person’s choices for them.
My mom’s words still speak to me today: whatever happens, get up, dust yourself off, and keep going forward. With God’s help, we can carry the lesson without allowing the pain to determine the rest of our lives.
Heart Check: Are we allowing pain or anger to make our decisions? Are we trying to hold someone back because letting go hurts? Before taking our next step, let us pause, seek God’s wisdom, and consider what faithful obedience requires.
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