The godly will trip seven times, but they will get up again.  But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.  Proverbs 23:16

When we are knocked down by our circumstances what is it that makes us rise again?  When the “waves like sea billows roll”  how can we continue come back time and time again?  What do we learn after tripping up the third, fourth, or fifth times?  Is that one major setback going to define us and destroy our faith?

There is someone I am very close to that has weathered storm after storm throughout their long life.   Through the pain in her life, the Lord has continually strengthened  her.  Somehow, she keeps emerging from the storms and her faith is refined, purified and renewed.

Are we taking the hits, the setbacks of life, the disappointments at work and thanking God for the growth and the total dependence on him that is being forged through these firey trials?  The godly may go down but, like in the classic first and second “Rocky” movies, they just keep getting back up, much to the dismay and confusion of the enemy.

We build a impenetrable fortress as we rise again and again, a little stronger each time.  Many will crumble and give up the first time calamity strikes, but those who have God at the core will not grow faint. They will walk, but not grow weary. They will rise again.

Lord, we stumble again and again, but know you are always there to help us rise again.  Give us the blessing of knowing and feeling you draw close to us as we obediently take our failings and setbacks to the cross.  Only through your resurrection power can we rise again even stronger to face the battle again.  Amen