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Hitting A Slump

Sunday, November 1st 2015

My ninth-grade daughter just went through a hitting slump during her softball season. This one was short, but it was frustrating to her; and it revived that little voice in her head that says things like, “you don’t know what you’re doing” and “you’ll never be as good as you want to be.” And even, maybe deep in there somewhere: “You should just quit.” Never mind the accomplishments she has made, the fun she is having, and the potential in front of her. In moments of defeat, it’s hard to see the good stuff.

It was a short slump because, after she scowled a little while, she got back up. And when she got back up, my husband took her to the batting cage to help her tweak her swing. She reminded herself that she is a fast learner and knows how to play softball. At her dad’s suggestion, she practiced adding a step to her slow-pitch swing to give her more power. Two days later, she went 5 for 8 in play-off games, and the coach said, “May’s back!”

That won’t be her last slump. She might even have another one before this article is printed. As long as she keeps playing softball, she will have to learn to deal with defeat and the tendency to criticize and doubt herself. But, if she keeps getting back up, she will learn lessons that will serve her well in every area of her whole life.

I have an amazing job. I get to accompany people through some serious slumps…courageous people who keep retooling and putting one foot in front of the other. Some learn quickly, grow deeply, and experience insight and change at a rapid rate. Others have steeper hills to climb, more obstacles to negotiate; and the slumps are longer. Sometimes, we have to peer very closely and purposefully to find good in their circumstances. We watch earnestly for buds of joy to water together. And, we celebrate any appearance of hope while we wait.

But, sometimes the waiting is long. The husband doesn’t change. The mother doesn’t understand. The job doesn’t come. The grieving still aches. What then?

I have great admiration for people who just keep getting up, re-tooling, and looking for the next step. There’s a difference between just settling on a joyless life (which seems a lot like quitting to me), and continuing to yearn and search for hope, even when you see none (which sounds like faith to me). The Bible tells us “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). The Message version says it this way (read it twice; it’s great): “The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.”

Even with faith, we don’t have assurance that our circumstances will work out like we desire. We do not stand on the solid rock of smooth circumstances, but on the solid rock of Christ… who truly loves us, and whose ways are higher than ours. He will be faithful to draw near to us when we draw near to Him, though sometimes His touch is not immediately felt. He delights in our every attempt, even feeble ones, to seek Him in the darkness.

When we are clouded by defeat and can’t see the good stuff, He is our Father who helps us get back up and then lovingly accompanies us to “tweak our swing.” His Word will help remind us of the truth so that we can get back in the batter’s box with more power…His power.

Jo is a Licensed Professional Counselor at St. Mark’s. You can reach her by phone (601- 259-1749) or email (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).

@E11th_Hour "Devote yourself to Jesus, His Word, and prayer at Saint Mark's (Acts 6:4)."

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