This article's title obliterates all the barriers of proper grammar. But it's purposeful. A shameless ploy. Click-bait to get you to keep reading about the phrase, "You got this."
I buy a new IRON FLASK 40 oz. Co-Pilate insulated travel mug with straw and flip-cap lids (in dark pine). and in the box is a little sticker, "You got this." For a drink bottle? Am I a 2-year-old with a sippy cup?
I watch Dr. Who, the time-traveler with mythical powers, who always has a companion from earth. But in recent years, Dr. Who has a pack of companions. And the screen-writers (a bunch of snowflakes) waste precious minutes of air-time having these companions agonize over what they need to do next. Until finally comes the moment for action. But NO! Even then the screen-writers smash their pudgy thumbs down on the plot pause button again, because now the companions have to waste 1:48 cheering each other on with, "You got this!'
"You got this!" This phrase is enough to make me cough up a fur-ball. So I decided to research it. My research was, as usual, extensive and thorough. I googled. It took 2.6 seconds for me to learn the phrase has its roots in sports, where a player would shout, "I got this." That told his teammates to back off because they were handling the ball or the play. The player wanted to take over the moment. Control.
By the 1980s and 1990s, coaches borrowed the phrase and changed it to, "You got this." It became a confidence builder that meant. "You have the physical capability, skills, and position to win this specific play—now go execute it."
Then came the 21st century, pop culture, and social media. "You got this," exploded on Instagram and Twitter. So now the Cambridge Dictionary officially recognizes it as a standard American English idiom used widely to express complete faith in someone's ability to succeed.
That brings me back to the grammatically-twisted title for this encouragement. "I DON'T got this. But HE does."
I have cancer. The signs have been there for a while. PSA counts the last few years that were a bit on the high-side for "someone of my age." Then a PSA count at the beginning of this year that spiked. Then another PSA count a few months later, almost the same. An exam during Holy Week that revealed an enlarged prostrate, and an irregular shape on the left side. More testing. Then a biopsy on July 22 with Dr. Holley, a surgeon, in Minocqua. Then a phone call from her on July 29th confirming that cancer had been found. Then a one-hour consult with Dr. Holley on August 6th to discuss treatment options.
So I say again, "I DON'T got this. But HE does." Do I know what treatment option I will take? Not for sure. I have a little time to decide. Do I know how fast this cancer might be growing? Not for sure, although I heard the surgeon explain, "At your age, it's possible you will die of something else first, instead of the cancer." To which I responded, "For me to live is Christ. and to die is gain! I'm a Christian. I don't fear death." (Philippians 1:21)
Do I know how this cancer might affect my day-to-day life? With taking care of my little Whiskey? With teasing my daughter and son-in-law? With daily Facebook-messaging to my baby brudder and family? With lame, stale jokes that make my friends groan? More important, with carrying out my call to serve all of you at Trinity? I'm not sure. That's why I'm sharing this health update. To request your prayers, and alert you to the possibility that some treatment options might take me out of the area temporarily and possibly impact the pastoral ministry that I am privileged to serve.
My family has already asked, "Do you plan to retire because of the cancer?" No. Unless my health deteriorates and it becomes clear that I am not carrying out God-given pastoral responsibilities to the glory of my Father, and for the good of blood-bought souls.
"I DON'T got this. But HE does." I am at peace with this twist in the path of my life, because throughout each day, I see the Scripture passages that serve as rock-solid signs pointing out God's direction for the journey of life. And not just mine, but yours, too!
When we are afraid of the dangers that lay ahead, our Father points us to the sign that says, "For I am the LORD your God. I am the one who is holding on to your right hand. I am the one who says to you, “Do not fear. I myself am helping you." (Isaiah 41:13)
When we doubt, the Spirit directs the eyes of our faith to see these words, "Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands." (Isaiah 49:16) Our name is engraved on our Father's hands in the blood of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior! No sin, no cancer, no attack of satan no matter how savage can wash that blood away.
When we feel overwhelmed and alone, our Savior promises, "I will be with you always." (Matthew 28:20)
When we worry, St. Paul teaches us. "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
When we feel helpless, our Father reassures us, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower. A righteous person runs inside and is protected." (Proverbs 18:10) Who can touch us? What can hurt us?
When we feel ready to crumble into a million pieces, the Spirit picks us up and shouts, "What then will we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all―how will he not also graciously give us all things along with him?. . .No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor rulers, neither things present nor things to come, nor powerful forces, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-32,37-39. For more on this precious portion of Scripture, watch the Trinity worship YouTube video from August 9th, 2026, giving special attention to Pastor Luchterhand's sermon!)
"I DON'T got this. But HE does." Because HE has me. And HE has you.
Wrapped safely in the loving arms of Jesus, and privileged to serve,
Rev. Glenn Schwanke
I buy a new IRON FLASK 40 oz. Co-Pilate insulated travel mug with straw and flip-cap lids (in dark pine). and in the box is a little sticker, "You got this." For a drink bottle? Am I a 2-year-old with a sippy cup?
I watch Dr. Who, the time-traveler with mythical powers, who always has a companion from earth. But in recent years, Dr. Who has a pack of companions. And the screen-writers (a bunch of snowflakes) waste precious minutes of air-time having these companions agonize over what they need to do next. Until finally comes the moment for action. But NO! Even then the screen-writers smash their pudgy thumbs down on the plot pause button again, because now the companions have to waste 1:48 cheering each other on with, "You got this!'
"You got this!" This phrase is enough to make me cough up a fur-ball. So I decided to research it. My research was, as usual, extensive and thorough. I googled. It took 2.6 seconds for me to learn the phrase has its roots in sports, where a player would shout, "I got this." That told his teammates to back off because they were handling the ball or the play. The player wanted to take over the moment. Control.
By the 1980s and 1990s, coaches borrowed the phrase and changed it to, "You got this." It became a confidence builder that meant. "You have the physical capability, skills, and position to win this specific play—now go execute it."
Then came the 21st century, pop culture, and social media. "You got this," exploded on Instagram and Twitter. So now the Cambridge Dictionary officially recognizes it as a standard American English idiom used widely to express complete faith in someone's ability to succeed.
That brings me back to the grammatically-twisted title for this encouragement. "I DON'T got this. But HE does."
I have cancer. The signs have been there for a while. PSA counts the last few years that were a bit on the high-side for "someone of my age." Then a PSA count at the beginning of this year that spiked. Then another PSA count a few months later, almost the same. An exam during Holy Week that revealed an enlarged prostrate, and an irregular shape on the left side. More testing. Then a biopsy on July 22 with Dr. Holley, a surgeon, in Minocqua. Then a phone call from her on July 29th confirming that cancer had been found. Then a one-hour consult with Dr. Holley on August 6th to discuss treatment options.
So I say again, "I DON'T got this. But HE does." Do I know what treatment option I will take? Not for sure. I have a little time to decide. Do I know how fast this cancer might be growing? Not for sure, although I heard the surgeon explain, "At your age, it's possible you will die of something else first, instead of the cancer." To which I responded, "For me to live is Christ. and to die is gain! I'm a Christian. I don't fear death." (Philippians 1:21)
Do I know how this cancer might affect my day-to-day life? With taking care of my little Whiskey? With teasing my daughter and son-in-law? With daily Facebook-messaging to my baby brudder and family? With lame, stale jokes that make my friends groan? More important, with carrying out my call to serve all of you at Trinity? I'm not sure. That's why I'm sharing this health update. To request your prayers, and alert you to the possibility that some treatment options might take me out of the area temporarily and possibly impact the pastoral ministry that I am privileged to serve.
My family has already asked, "Do you plan to retire because of the cancer?" No. Unless my health deteriorates and it becomes clear that I am not carrying out God-given pastoral responsibilities to the glory of my Father, and for the good of blood-bought souls.
"I DON'T got this. But HE does." I am at peace with this twist in the path of my life, because throughout each day, I see the Scripture passages that serve as rock-solid signs pointing out God's direction for the journey of life. And not just mine, but yours, too!
When we are afraid of the dangers that lay ahead, our Father points us to the sign that says, "For I am the LORD your God. I am the one who is holding on to your right hand. I am the one who says to you, “Do not fear. I myself am helping you." (Isaiah 41:13)
When we doubt, the Spirit directs the eyes of our faith to see these words, "Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands." (Isaiah 49:16) Our name is engraved on our Father's hands in the blood of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior! No sin, no cancer, no attack of satan no matter how savage can wash that blood away.
When we feel overwhelmed and alone, our Savior promises, "I will be with you always." (Matthew 28:20)
When we worry, St. Paul teaches us. "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
When we feel helpless, our Father reassures us, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower. A righteous person runs inside and is protected." (Proverbs 18:10) Who can touch us? What can hurt us?
When we feel ready to crumble into a million pieces, the Spirit picks us up and shouts, "What then will we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all―how will he not also graciously give us all things along with him?. . .No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor rulers, neither things present nor things to come, nor powerful forces, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-32,37-39. For more on this precious portion of Scripture, watch the Trinity worship YouTube video from August 9th, 2026, giving special attention to Pastor Luchterhand's sermon!)
"I DON'T got this. But HE does." Because HE has me. And HE has you.
Wrapped safely in the loving arms of Jesus, and privileged to serve,
Rev. Glenn Schwanke
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