For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity. Proverbs 24:16 WEB

I felt disgusted with myself because I had tried so hard but in a moment of weakness returned to my old habits. Now like an injured animal, I just wanted to be left alone. I felt that I could never live this life of being a true Christian, at least at the standard my mind had created. I was 100% in, or 100% out, on or off. It was all or nothing.

Soon I was saddled up with the baggage of guilt and shame and began to avoid my Christian friends. The enemy finally had me where he wanted me, separated, alone, and an easy target. I believed everything that he said. I felt that I had let God down, He had moved on and forgotten me, and it was hopeless. Have you ever done that? I have.

When we stumble, the enemy will quickly swoop in to take advantage of it. Peter said that the devil walks around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1Peter 5:8). Lions are not looking for a serious fight, they pick off the weak and stragglers. Immediately after you stumble, thoughts are going to start coming like this: 'You can't do this. It is not worth it. God is mad at you because you have let Him down. Why bother? They don't care about you anyway.' If you listen to this garbage, you will soon fall into a dark spiral and your relationship with God will begin to recede, not because of Him, but entirely because of you. The battle is won and lost in your thought life.

God will never forget you, and His plans for you still stand. His gifts and calling are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). Everyone stumbles, especially at the start. So Get. Back. Up. The Bible is very clear on this. No matter what happens, get back up. There is a spiritual war going on around us and it is natural for some to be knocked down, but if you want to make it then are going to have to claw your way through. Walk, crawl, drag yourself forward, and never let your circumstances fool you into thinking that God has given up on you, for He has not.

Jonah fell, but he repented and continued on. David fell, but he repented and continued on. Peter fell, but he repented and continued on. That is what winners do. The master teacher has failed more times than the student has tried. What I have found to help me when I stumble is to repent immediately. This step takes away the enemy's ammunition that he was going to use against you. When you repent and put it under the blood of Jesus, there is nothing left to accuse you about. When you are not up, then you should be getting up.

Prayer: Heavenly Father please take my hand and pull me to my feet. I give You permission to work in my life. If You will show me what to do, then I will do it. Forgive me of the things that I have done wrong, correct my course and fulfill Your will in my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

Note: "I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer" (Psalm 17:6) If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network

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