Getting Up When You Have Been Knocked Down

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We topped the sand dune and surveyed the glistening white sand of the Florida beach. The sky shone with the heat of June, and the aquamarine waves were already tumbling onto the shore. Our grandchildren ran with boogie boards and laughter to the edge of the water while we cautioned about riptides and sea life. We set up the beach tent and began a beautiful morning at the beach.

The children and parents played in the pristine waters, jumping and catching waves with their boards. Granddad occupied himself teaching them to watch for just the right wave. My seventy-year-old self played with our three-year-old granddaughter at the edge, knowing the waves were a little too boisterous for my balance.

All was well, but the morning was hot, and I finally decided to venture into the cool water. It looked so inviting. I walked out, enjoying the feel of the waves. But they were coming fast. A large one knocked me down. I laughed, but before I could regain my balance another washed over me. Still laughing, I attempted to get up. When another knocked me flat on my face, I thought, “These waves are NOT going to let me up”. Thankfully, my older granddaughter realized my plight and offered a hand. Between the two of us, we managed to rescue me out of three feet of water and get me back to shore.

That was the end of my wave jumping for the day.

Later, as I attempted to get the sand out of all the crevices of my body, I thought how life is sometimes like my experience with the waves.

A small setback knocks us down. Before we can stabilize, another circumstance piles on top of the first pushing us farther under. Then, wave after wave of difficulty piles on until we seem to be drowning in the sea of life. We cry out to God, “Can I just get a breath here?”

Jesus was not kidding when He told the disciples in John 16:33, “in the world ye shall have tribulation (trouble)”. None of us is immune.

Jesus, however, did not leave His disciples (or us) without help or hope. If we read John 16:33 in its entirety we find

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus was going to the cross. He had told the disciples He was leaving them. He had told them that He would send a Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, to continue to teach them. We know this person as the Holy Spirit. He had told them to pray in His name and that He would see them again. And He told them that they would be scattered.

Everything they knew was changing. Jesus was moving them from depending on His physical presence to trusting the truth He had taught them. Honestly, it was more than they could comprehend – just like life is often more than we can comprehend.

But Jesus gave them an assurance –

In Me you can have peace. This was His invitation to trust.

He told them reality –

               The world will give you trouble. It did, and it still does today.

He gave them a challenge with a promise –

               Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

The next day would not look like Jesus was an overcomer, but He was. The resurrection would prove His words. The disciples just needed to cling to His truth.

The disciples were about to be hit by wave after wave of life’s troubles. Jesus knew this. He was preparing them for the onslaught.

Today, we face turbulent waters, and we often get knocked down. God’s truth, however, has not changed. He still offers peace amid trouble. That peace is found in Jesus Christ. He is still sovereign over this world no matter what troubles we face.

He does hear our prayers.

He is listening. Check out Psalm 107:28, Psalm 91:15, Psalm 86:7, Psalm 81:7, Psalm 34:17 as just a few verses to show how God hears and delivers His children. There are many more.

And just like my granddaughter was nearby watching my struggles, God has people who can help you survive the waves of this life. Ask Him to open your eyes.

Or perhaps you know someone who is struggling in the turbulence, and you need to stretch out a hand. Don’t wait. Do it today.

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Father, the waves are truly crashing all around. How easy it is to be knocked down and overcome. How easy it is to allow the evil to overwhelm our souls. You are the Master of the sea and the Master of all of life. Let us look to You for every need, in every crisis, in every joy. May we find our peace in You. In Jesus’ name I pray.

“Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen” (Jude 24 – 25).

Think About It

·       Do you know someone who is struggling and needs a hand or word of encouragement?

·       If you feel like you are going under, have you asked God to send you His peace and His help?