I have had some nasty physical falls. Last year I recall falling three times. Twice on ice, and once on a slippery, wet hill in my sister's backyard while running with our grandchildren. I also recall a couple of embarrassing sprawls while hurrying to respond to employers. In both of these situations, in two different locations, the culprit was a box of books, one at a library and the other in a bookstore. Those mishaps landed me face down in very awkward positions. The last one I will recount was in the grocery store. Let's just say, hurrying on wet floor with a 20-pound bag of potatoes. It did not end well. With the exception of one of those falls, with eyes watering, nose tingling, body aching, I sprang to my feet. More embarrassed than injured. Although shaken, I refused any attention. Praise the Lord, there has never been any broken bones, which is miraculous with my osteoporosis diagnosis, just battered pride.
Not all falls have recoveries so quick and easy. Physically we may be laid up for a season, but often emotional, mental and spiritual falls take longer to heal. Outwardly there may be no bruising, but inwardly wounds cut deep. On a downward spiral, we can find no safe edge to regain footing.
Stumbling blocks of low self-esteem, insecurity, pride, fear, unworthiness, rejection, captivity, shame, doubt, hopelessness and judgment are our "boxes of books" on the path of life that cause our feet to slip. James 3:2 says, "We all stumble in many ways", yet, Psalm 37:23-24 reassures us, "If the LORD delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand."
When we "fall" openly or secretly, failing in an area of obedience to the Lord, as my friend Elaine pointed out to me many years ago, sometimes our healing is hindered by bouncing back too quickly, dusting ourselves off and pretending our internal injury is less severe. When someone asks if we are "hurt" or "broken" how much better it would be if we honestly expressed our pain and asked for help. Sometimes regaining strength after a fall takes time.
One "fall" we all need to do more often, is to fall on our knees, in our hearts or on our carpets, and seek God's forgiveness. It is the fall of repentance that precedes our rise. Confession enables us to fall upward and then the Lord's hand brings us upright. In Proverbs 24:16, Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote these words by divine inspiration, "The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again." We undoubtedly will fall numerous times, but what matters most is that we rise again.
The prophet Micah encourages us, that although we may be brought low, it will not be for long. God will indeed lift us up. Like those little "Weebles" that wobble, but don't stay down, the Lord picks us back up. We have a God who specializes in resurrection. Not rising in our own strength, but having confidence in the One who has already risen.
Some falls we can avoid. Like today, with freezing rain covering the ground and my car blanketed in ice, I have sent my regrets to a friend hosting a Christmas Tea. Other times we can make choices that remove certain temptations, or, when faced with a moment of decision, we can choose the "ancient path". But when we do fall, God immediately stretches out His hand and offers a way to return. If today finds you down, take His hand. He will empower you to rise again.
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