Don't Stay Down When You Fall

Everyone Falls

Every year since I was about 16, I have been able to go on a ski trip with either a youth ministry trip or with my wife.  During those first few years of skiing, I sometimes fell so hard and got do discouraged that I felt like giving up on skiing.  But, with the encouragement of a girlfriend (now my wife), I kept getting up.

I learned on skis and after a few years became very comfortable with them.  Then one trip my buddy wanted to try something new, so we got snowboards.  The process started all over again.  But at least this time it was humorous because I had someone to fall with and laugh with.  I knew enough about the snow and the physics to get by.  After a while we took a free snowboarding lesson.

I remember a young man at the snowboarding lesson who didn't seem very excited in the first place.  The instructor wanted us to simply slide down a hill and then come to a slow stop.  This was somewhat difficult for a first timer but manageable because we were on a very small incline.  One by one we went down.  I remember this kid was near the end of the line.  He went about 7 or 8 feet and fell.  Not a big problem, except for that he laid there on the snow and started crying.

You might be giggling right now at this image.  Kid tries one time, lays on the snow, and starts crying.  I went by him to try and encourage him because maybe he felt embarrassed that other people in the group saw him fall.  I said "hey man, nobody is worried that you fell.  It's ok I will help you."  But he told me that he wanted to be left alone, and he just lay there on the snow as the rest of us proceeded down the hill.

Here is the deal:  Everyone Falls.  And no I am not just talking about skiing now.  I found too that the faster I went skiing, the harder the fall.  Same was true also in life.  But everybody will fall.  The key is what your response is afterward.

I believe the devil would have you dwell on your fall.  He wants you to stay down, to wallow in your depression, and to think you are not good enough to proceed.  He wants you to give up.

But let me tell you about Jesus.  He wants you to thrive.  He wants you to keep getting up, and keep getting up no matter how many times it takes.

Romans 8:1 - "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

If you are a Christian, Jesus doesn't condemn you.  So stop condemning yourself, and get back up.

To hear an important teaching about the power of GRACE in your life, listen here -

http://www.sermoncloud.com/friendship/grace-is-not-a-doctrine/