Get Back Up

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. — Isaiah 40:30-31

You might fall down, but you don’t have to stay down. If your hope is placed firmly in God, you will find the strength in Him to get back up. God doesn’t want you to live life beaten, demoralized, and hating yourself. He loves you, and He wants you to love yourself. He has faith in you and wants you to have faith in Him. He has good things planned for your life, so you can trust Him when you’re down.

Have you ever fallen flat on your face? Did it feel like things would never be good again? Maybe you’ve wondered if things were ever good to begin with. But those thoughts are not based in truth. God has blessed you… made previous dreams come true… brought the people you’ve needed into your life. He has always been working for you, always loving you.

Being knocked down hurts, so take the time you need to heal, but don’t stay down so long that you begin to believe that you belong there. You don’t. You belong out there in the world making a difference. Remind yourself of that, multiple times a day if you need to. It might help to create a mantra you can say to yourself when you need that reminder. Something like, “I’ve been down, but I’m never out with God.” Or “I learn every time I fall, and I get back up stronger than ever.” Use these examples to create a mantra that works for you. Write your mantra down so you can refer to it as needed.

Ask for Help

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. — Psalm 119:147

When we mess up or fail, our natural inclination is to try to hide our mistakes and fix the issues ourselves. This is nothing new. From the time Adam and Eve hid from God in the Garden of Eden, we’ve been trying to hide our messes from God. But it wasn’t a good plan for Adam and Eve, and it isn’t a good plan now. Hiding a mess doesn’t make it go away, and shouldering a crushing burden alone will eventually crush you.

Make no mistake, God can clearly see that mess you’re trying to hide. You aren’t fooling Him. But in hiding and turning away from Him, you’re only hurting yourself more. God wants you to turn to Him for help when you need it (and even when you don’t). He’s ready to make things happen on your behalf, to provide comfort and healing, or to inspire you with new dreams. All you have to do is ask.

It isn’t just God that you hide from, though, is it? You try to hide your missteps from people too, even from your loved ones. Maybe you’ve closed yourself off from the people who love you most and want to help you because you’re embarrassed or ashamed. But don’t forget the truth that everyone fails. Those who sincerely love you will understand, and they will be ready to support you and help you however they can.

What are some problems you are facing right now? How can you ask for help from God and from those who love you?

Excerpted with permission from Live Your Dreams, copyright Thomas Nelson.

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Your Turn

You’re not alone. You don’t have to go it alone. God is with you and the Body of Christ is with you. Being knocked down, failing, falling is so painful. It’s embarrassing. It can cause you to forget your dreams. But, God has new dreams for you and a bright future ahead of you. You belong out in the world making a difference for the Kingdom of God! Come share your thoughts with us! ~ Devotionals Daily