But isn’t it good to know that it does not matter how many times we get knocked down, just as long as we get back up again? The good thing about this is the fact that when we do get back up, we may not have our full balance and composure, but just the mere effort of trying to get up grabs God's immediate attention. Our efforts to get up make God sit straight up. Our efforts in trying to get up excite God because our weaknesses present God with an opportunity to show up. The Bible teaches us that it’s in our weakest state that God’s strength is made perfect. And because God always shows up in our weakest moments, every time we’re knocked down in life by some tribulation, disappointment, heartbreak, or trials we go through every day, as long as we get back up the fight is not over. Life will through an unexpected blow and knock you clean off your feet. Is there anybody in here that’s been hit with something in life that left you totally numb? A fighter can train all he can; be in the best shape of his life, and still get hit and knocked down by an unsuspecting punch. Thus it is with us. I don’t care how much Bible you know, nor does it matter how strong and prayed up you are life will hit you with a blow that will literally knock you senseless. Don’t get me wrong. It pays to be prayed up and it pays to study and learn the word, because that’s your training. And it’s according to how well a fighter train that determines how fast he recovers from a serious knock down. It’s not that we’re never beaten, but we’re never ultimately defeated. We may lose a battle, but if you know like I know, we’re going to win the war. We may be knocked down, but we’re not knocked out. For the Bible says, that “the steps of a good man is ordered by the Lord, though he falls, he is not utterly destroyed.” Is there anybody in here that’s like me? You know you’re going to make it. You know you’re going to win this fight. Not only am I a fighter but I’m also a survivor. Some days are just hard. We don’t feel spiritual or holy. There’s discord and disagreement among the people we love. Problems come at us out of nowhere and we are left reeling from it with no idea how things are going to work out. Sometimes it feels like someone has knocked us down—figuratively and maybe literally. It’s on those days we must reevaluate our lives and come to a sense of peace about where we are. Being knocked down by an occasional trial doesn’t mean that we are knocked out of the faith. When the wind is knocked out of our spiritual body, we must learn to stop and rest in God’s promises. God promises that He will never leave us. (Hebrews 13:5) God promises us that He will meet all of our needs according to His riches in glory. (Philippians 4:19) God promises that He will work everything for our good. (Romans 8:28) God promises that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. (John 16:13) God promises that His love for us will never fail. (Romans 8:39) All of the promises of God are yes and amen. (2 Corinthians 1:20) It’s a part of our Christian journey to get knocked down at times. God uses unfortunate situations to grow us up in the faith. We become more mature and wise as we pull ourselves up and keep going in the faith. The Lord knows the end of our days and He will keep us on the right track as we put our trust in Him. Getting knocked down occasionally reminds us that we are completely dependent on God’s grace to get through the day. So we get up, brush off the dirt, and press forward in Jesus’ name! Dear Lord, I’ve been knocked down so many times that I wonder if it’s worth it. Grant me the grace to get up and continue in the faith regardless of the adversity. Amen. PRAYER --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/felicia721/message