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LIFE LESSONS: Shake it off, And Step Up.
A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule which fell into the farmer’s well one morning. The farmer heard the mule ‘braying’ desperately from its hopeless position, battered and bruised. The mule looked upward for a savior.After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened…eventually enlisting them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.
Initially, the old mule was hysterical as his awful plight soured further. But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back…a thought struck the stubborn mule. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back… HE SHOULD SIMPLY SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!
And so he did, blow after blow. “Shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up!” he repeated to encourage himself as the well grew shorter and the light above grew brighter.
No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought “panic” and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP
It wasn’t long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall as the neighbors and a farmer once intent on burying him learned a lesson about overcoming adversity in their own lives.
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54 Comments
dhanamjay
Its a very inspirational story which gives courage and enthusiasm for the distressed. Afterall nothing is valuable if got without any hard work.
04 Jul 2010 04:07 am
Grace Litao
Its another eye opener story for me. The well symbolizes struggles in life and the mule as the human being that fell into it.
I have been tested all my life. Little did I noticed neither acknowledged myself that I managed to brave all these tests. I call it “storm” of different intensity. No matter how big or small these storm, I surpassed all. But honestly, in all of these situations, there always exist fear. Fear that I will not be able to reach the end of the tunnel…like the mule, I always get hysterical…like the mule I shrugged it off and step up thin king that God will not let go of my hand…that HE is always beside me
04 Jul 2010 05:07 am
Lu Yu Ying
A beautiful story of courage. One should always overcome one’s fear in order to go on in life. There is no point in crying and fretting when you think you are in a hopeless situation. Always try to make the best of every situation by being positive
05 Jul 2010 07:07 am
erlie delos reyes
It hit me to the core. I am always almost out of hope everytime i face an adversity in my life but…with THE SHAKINNG OFF AND STEP UP of the mule in the story… i was struck and definitely inspired. I wanna do the same thing when being tested.
05 Jul 2010 02:07 pm
Pete Phillips
A life without trials,temptations and tests is no life at all…The christian walk c ould be painful,but rewarding in the end
05 Jul 2010 02:07 pm
Patty Tarrance
I like this very much. God gives the tools for us to use if we just think how to use them. God Bless America.
05 Jul 2010 02:07 pm
Mary Maragret
Who could do such a thing anyway and just decide to bury this beautiful creature because it was “not worth saving”. If GOD thought that way about us not very many of us would be left. But because HE loves us we have been saved by his grace and we should do like wise with other living things. Be it animal or human being. GOD had a plan for this animal . The human scope of life was yet again put to shame.
05 Jul 2010 02:07 pm
Dr.SAI CHANDRAN, PONDICHERRY, INDIA
EXCELLENT & THOUGHT PROVOKING.
THANK U VERY MUCH.
05 Jul 2010 02:07 pm
Barb Morris
What a great lesson for everyone to follow!
05 Jul 2010 02:07 pm
Audrey
Loved the analogy of faith and the will to survive. Above all the result of struggle and endurance. This ‘mule’..~A
05 Jul 2010 03:07 pm
Matt
That farmer was a horrible man wasn’t he, I wouldn’t blame the mule if he gave him a good kick when he got out!
05 Jul 2010 03:07 pm
Jeania Canel
I find it to be inspiring and I know that if I were to do this with all the trials and tribulations I would be much happier. However, that is not always easy to do. After the fact and I am not driven by emotion I realize what I have done and get back on track. I need to learn to stay on track!! I praise God for the fact that I am able to see his work and what he is capable of doing. Now, I need to just let go and let God!!
05 Jul 2010 03:07 pm
JULIANA
It ,s good in our life ,so that we can see,and to live with what we have,and THANKS GOD EVERYDAY for every day. GOD BLESS YOU.THANKS.
05 Jul 2010 03:07 pm
shirley
There is definately a lesson in this story for all of us. I am presently in that sort of situation now where I have to keep on fighting but I know God is there with me holding my hand. I love that old mule.
05 Jul 2010 03:07 pm
Darlene
Alsome!!!! I am currently unemployed and have been for sometime now. But God will pervail and I will NEVER EVER GIVE UP!!!! Just like the mule in the story…I will just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP.
Praise be unto GOD Almighty
05 Jul 2010 04:07 pm
Erik
I can resonate with the sybolism of this story and,for me,it is a testament to the indomitable stength of the human spirit.
05 Jul 2010 04:07 pm
Karen
I loved this story. I am currently in the worst struggle of my life, wondering sometimes each day if I can make it, or want to. Well, that old mule sure wanted to make it no matter how bleak things looked….what inspiration!
05 Jul 2010 04:07 pm
naseem
A good lesson for those who simply give up hope. We human beings are superior to all living creatures, yet sometimes birds and and animals teach us lessons. Amazing story.
05 Jul 2010 09:07 pm
naseem
A good lesson for those who simply give up hope. We human beings are superior to all living creatures, yet sometimes birds and animals teach us lessons. Amazing story.
05 Jul 2010 09:07 pm
D
sometimes we are all in the same situaton as the mule, we / I just need to remember to never give up because God is always on my side and loves me. Thanks for the analagy. AS the first person said, anything worth having in life, requires hard work.
05 Jul 2010 10:07 pm
Jee
An encouraging story. My ex (who left me for a rich widow) and his new partner has been very mean to me, I now have to struggle financially to raise my three boys. But god is good, who give me the strength, peace, joy, who I can lean on…
05 Jul 2010 10:07 pm
Harry
Karen mentions that she does not know if she can make it…
With our great GOD all things (not some) are possible..
Hang on to God Karen… Don’t ever let go.
I have been thru some pretty tough times and with Gods help I shook it off and stepped up… God is sooooo good…
05 Jul 2010 11:07 pm
Sandra Smithson
What a beautiful story. That ole mule certanly earned my respect and admiration.I can not believe anyone reading this story would not beleve in the Glory of God!!
06 Jul 2010 12:07 am
terrie
Just lost my house to foreclosure but you know there is a reason for everything and I trust the Lord has bigger and better things ahead for me.
06 Jul 2010 12:07 am
anne tan
Life is full of ups and downs and surprises. These surprises can be both pleasant and nasty. We thank God for each surprise as these are lessons to make us better children of HIS. In God we trust. He will never abandon us. Praise God
06 Jul 2010 12:07 am
bona
God gives us the gift of intellect and wisdom. Resting our hope in the Lord brings us to realization that in every desperate situation in this world, there is always a bright solution. It is always that way with the Lord. But we the living must be able to discern God’s plan for us in every way.
06 Jul 2010 01:07 am
Dwight L. Johnson
Wonderfully positive words for a wonderfully needy time and circumstances.
06 Jul 2010 01:07 am
cislyn
Fantastic story!!!! All of us can gain strength from this donkey.
Praise God we can always depend on him to pick us up when life
seemed hopeless
06 Jul 2010 02:07 am
teresa
that’s the will to fight off adversity in or life…we triumph with our determination to get positive results. the mule’s stubborness against the odds paid off thereby saving his life. the farmer & his friends were heartless.
06 Jul 2010 02:07 am
Roland julien
This is an extraordinary lesson people should learn. Ilove that story.
You should never give up fighting. Have confidence and GOD will help you
06 Jul 2010 03:07 am
Marques Silva
Discovery of onself by the help of the Holy Spirit what the life tells us to make our journey to the final destination.
Who we are and what we are with regard to why we are here, perhaps to worship God Almighty who was who is and who is to come for our final judgment.
What we are looking for? Certainly to enter into Heaven to be with God and all Saints. We are all saints but not consecrated yet, hope to be one among the Blessed.
AMEN…..blessed be the lord……
Marques
06 Jul 2010 03:07 am
LINDA
OUR ALMIGHTY GOD HAS PREVAILED AND CONQUERED ALL EVIL WHICH IS ONLY A PASSING AND TRYING PHASE IN EVERYONES’ LIFE. WE HAVE VICTORY IN THE NAME OF JESUS, AND NO EVIL CAN PREVAIL WHERE THE LIGHT OF THE LORD JESUS BURNS! PRAISE THE LORD ALWAYS AND EVIL WILL BE VANQUISHED! BE OF GOOD FAITH AND I REPEAT PRAISE THE LORD ALWAYS !!
06 Jul 2010 04:07 am
priya
its an awesome story making us to learn how bold we should be at time of adversityand believe god is always with us to come out of our problems
06 Jul 2010 05:07 am
martha
Glory to God i do believe that when praises goes up blessings comes down, so if you need God today stand up and praise Him for He is good and His mercies are everlasting, so chin up all believers the story of the mule is as good example to all who believe God is alive but in times of hardship forget that He is there
all the time, when you do not see His footprint know that He carries you.
He is always on time.
Blessings to all.
06 Jul 2010 05:07 am
Col MZU Siddiquie,SM
This like always proves the universal truth that every adversity cab be turned into an opportunity with will and determination. Nothing happens without the will of God
06 Jul 2010 05:07 am
Dolly
I am that “Stubborn Mule”. It took tons and tons of dirt dumped on me to finally shake me up that I need to place my trust in God instead of close friends. Yes, God is the only friend I have now and His love is sufficient for me. I am grateful that God forgave me for placing my close friends over Him. I am glad for all the pain and suffering because God used the bad circumstances in my life to bring me back in close fellowship with Him. I still have physical chornic pain and mobility issues to deal with but knowing that God is going to use that to refine me to what He wants me to be, it is well worth it–For when I am weak, He is strong. Even though I am alone, His holy presence and love fills me with PEACE and JOY that no money can buy. God wants me to be still and know that He is the all possible God. With my spinal cord injury since Sep 1991, He had kept me off the wheelchair for almost 20 years. Even if I have to be wheelchair bound, I will learn to adapt to my new life style. I only have an attitude of gratitude towards God because of what He has done in my life. He is simply an AMAZING and AWESOME God. I just want to pass on His love because it only takes a spark to get the fire going–Pass it on. Love God and love your neighbour as yourself because that’s what He wants us to do.
06 Jul 2010 06:07 am
Dovie
Altho the farmer’s motives were not the best (to bury the mule), that apparently
was the only way out for the mule. I believe the mule acted instinctively.
Sometimes we need to look around us and observe the intuitive ways that animals
take care of themselves. SOME of their ways are smart.
There are MANY lessons to be derived from this story. GOOD STORY!
06 Jul 2010 09:07 am
Judy
I am hoping that this is just a story, not something that actually happened.
What I got from this is the unbelievable cruelty that humans are capable of
and the fact that the Lord gave us such a wonderful gift in the form of our
animal friends. One way to honor the Lord is to care for the animals he gave
us, never to abuse them or take them for granted.
06 Jul 2010 10:07 am
shabnam
just great thanks i was really feeling low
06 Jul 2010 10:07 am
Gene Pastrick
God did not make animals to be dumb creatures. There are many things we can learn from God’s four legged children. This just goes to show us that when we think there is no way out the Lord carries us through it. Praise God.
06 Jul 2010 12:07 pm
Paula
WOW I WAS BLOWN AWAY FROM THE TESTAMENTS FROM ALL THESE PEOPLE. I WANT TO BE LIKE THE MULE, AND LATELY I HAVE BEEN PUSHING MYSELF TO TRY TO GET UP AND GO. THESE PEOPLE, LIKE ME, SEEM TO HAVE (OR HAD) SOME VERY DIFFICULT TIMES IN THEIR LIFE. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR A LONG, LONG TIME NOW.FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS I HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING VERY HARD TO PULL ME OUT OF THAT WELL, AND WE ARE SUCCEEDING. AMEN – DON’T EVER GIVE UP – GOD IS ALWAYS AT OUR SITE AND HE WALKS WITH ME, HE TALKS WITH ME, AND HE TELLS ME I AM HIS OWN. HE WILL GUIDE ALL OF US. THANK YOU JESUS, MY CHRIST AND SAVIOR.
06 Jul 2010 02:07 pm
MARIA
God helps those who help themselves. We must never give up. God knows what’s best and He listens to all our prayers.
06 Jul 2010 02:07 pm
Alan
If we all took a step back and put this story into perspective, we could all benefit from this message, Struggle builds Character & Character builds strength & hope & faith & armed with Faith in our Mighty God who Reigns what could possibly throw us off balance, we serve an awesome God of Grace & Humility, It is such an incredible blessing & privelage that we all have free access to the one who gives up hope & the promise of eternity and once spirit filled, our own struggles, trials & tribulations simply pale into insignificance.
06 Jul 2010 05:07 pm
nett
Very inspiring story and an eye opener too. The farmer and his neighbors represent those persons who instead of helping others in deep trouble all the more pinned him to other misery. The mule on the other hand, represent the person who despite of the hardship he faced in life, tried to beat the struggle with strong faith that SOMEBODY up there will help him hook out of his problem. We should be like mule in real life..and not the farmers and his neighbors..
06 Jul 2010 08:07 pm
jossie pindjak
This story realy touch me, I was the mule for a long time in my life but the faith in our lord Jesus always let me see the light all the more trouble all the more I skake it off. The spirit of the lord have lift me up, from misery,we are not perfect we commited sin, we fall,deep in the well of life, but if we ask for god mercy & forgivenese,he will help us sake it off & help us to be able to stand up high once again. Once the lord have lift us up let always try to learn not to fall again in the same well.Just like the mule I am certain he never fell again & he is still seen the light!
07 Jul 2010 04:07 pm
Jan C
I believe God is in control & helped where needed.
07 Jul 2010 08:07 pm
Susan S
Another way to look at the role of the persecutor, is one where whether intended or not, the “antagonist” become the catalyst for change, and motivates us to action.
Had the farmer not arrived at the well, what would have been the fate of the mule?
08 Jul 2010 03:07 am
Marilyn
We all have choices. Sometimes we forget that we can just shake off what ever is being shoveled onto us. Many get stuck in that “victim mentality”, when we can gain strength from all that stuff shoveled onto us. It helps even more if we ‘believe’ there is a God, and that he is right there with us, encouraging us, reminding us that we are not alone. We just have to look up. If you shake it off often, you will never lose direction, as to where the Lord is…and if you do, ask Him for help, he will help, but only if you ask. Proverbs 3:5&6
08 Jul 2010 09:07 pm
LYNN
AS ONE WHO HAS FACED MANY BATTLES IN MY LIFE , I ALWAYS SAY NEVER
QUIT, NEVER GIVE UP. ALWAYS HOPE IN GOD. HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN.
09 Jul 2010 09:07 pm
kate
This was a very heart warming story and translates to both animals and humans. The will to survive against the struggle that life has to throw at us. Each experience will enrich us and faith gets us through each day.
10 Jul 2010 01:07 am
Martha
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUCH AN INSPIRING STORY.I HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW, I HAVE LOST THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, AND SOMEONE DEAR TO ME HAS PASSED ON.BUT I KEEP HAVING FAITH AND TRUST IN GOD AND NOT GIVING UP AND I PRAISE GOD EVERYDAY AND IM GRATEFUL FOR THE THINGS I DO HAVE.I WILL NOT GIVE UP.NOT EVER.IM JUST SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP TO GOD’S WONDERFUL GRACE.
10 Jul 2010 11:07 pm
Dot Kuku
Thanks for this inpirational parable that has taught me a great lesson
From now on, I AM GOING TO SHAKE IT AND STEP UP.
11 Jul 2010 10:07 am
Dot Kuku
Thanks for this inpirational parable that has taught me a great lesson
From now on, I AM GOING TO SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP.
11 Jul 2010 10:07 am
JAN. M.
MY GOD, HOW GREAT THOU ARE. Just think,IF GOD WILL GO TO ALL THIS TROUBLE FOR THIS POOR OLD MULE….what will HE do for you????? ANSWER; HE’ALREADY DONE IT—given HIS life for you. So you CAN KNOW that HE WILL PICK UP THE SHOVEL AMD DO THE DIGGIN’,IF YOU WILL ONLY DO THE LOOKIN’ UP- PRAISING HIM AND ALWAYS HAVE FAITH AND HOLD ON TO IT. Amen, God Bless, and hold onto our Lord and that MOVIN’ and SHAKIN’..
12 Jul 2010 05:07 pm