learning DAILY

Proverbs 24:16, For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9, We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

I never thought I would ever quote George Armstrong Custer, but here is what he said. “It's not how many times you get knocked down that count, it's how many times you get back up.”  Jackie Chan said, “Life will knock us down, but, we can choose whether to or not to stand back up.”  And, Les Brown said, “If life knocks you down, try to land on your back. Because if you can look up, you can get up. And if you get up, you can stand up. And if you stand up, you can fight for your dream once again. You have something special. You have GREATNESS within you!”

Life!  Life is not fair.  How many times have you heard someone say, “That’s not fair!”  I suppose when one does not get their own way, life is unfair to them. When a Christian looks at how the ungodly prospers, it could be easy to say “That’s not fair!”  Christian, be aware of that trap.  How often does one use the term in order to be treated the same as someone else? 

 

What does fair mean?  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines fair as characterized by honesty and justice : free from self-interest, deception, injustice, or favoritism a fair and impartial tribunal.  Life does not often look like that, does it.  Life has a way of knocking people off their feet – a job is lost, a bad investment is made, a careless word is given or received.  Yes, sadness, troubles, weakness, and fear are experienced by everyone, even Christians.  But the difference is the reaction given to these things; one can stay down and be defeated or can get up and learn from whatever knocked them down.  It can be easy to stay down and think everyone else is to blame for your situation.  That is not the answer.  Examine the world today; there is a need for change, a need to protest.  Rioting and looting is not the answer.

 

Believers must understand that because Christ resides within them, they are not defeated; Christianity is not the removal of the challenges of life.  No, those challenges, those set- backs, and being knocked down are opportunities for God’s power to manifest itself in you.  People watch Christians to see how they react to life’s situations.  Opportunities arise to show the “world” that they are more than conquerors by God’s power and love (Romans 8:37).  When a Christian gets knocked down because of weakness, trial, or suffering, the grace of Christ can be revealed.  Because Christ is in the life of a Christian no sickness, trial, or tragedy will cause you to be defeated spiritually.  

Be encouraged if you are experiencing an outward circumstance that is trying or has knocked you down.  Your human resources might be exhausted, but God gives His resources to expand your faith, hope, and strength.  If you have been knocked down, the hand of Jesus is being extended to you to help you get back up.  Go back and read the quotes in the opening paragraph.  I think God shines brightest through those who have been knocked down and allows Him to show others their trust and faith in Him as they get back up again.

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