What to Do When You Get Knocked Down
Sometimes when we step out in faith, an unexpected turn of events knocks us off our feet.
I remember watching my one-year-old granddaughter as she took her first tottering steps. Using every ounce of strength, she pulled herself up and gripped the edge of the coffee table with her soft little hands. She moved one chubby foot, then another, trying to advance around the table. Then Remy, a black-and-brown mixed-breed dog who was three times her size, came barreling through the living room, knocking her down.
She let out a little whimper that evolved into a wail, and her dad scooped her up. He hushed her cries, set her on her feet again, and steadied her. His big hands held her tightly until she regained her strength.
Most of us can relate to the feeling of being knocked down.
Illness strikes.
Accidents happen.
Inconsiderate people interrupt our plans and impede our progress.
We’re blindsided by pandemics, economic downturns, and natural disasters.
We find ourselves asking, “Why did this happen to me?” Yet Scripture tells us not to be surprised.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Pet. 5:8-10 ESV)
The apostle Peter offered this advice to the persecuted church (and to all of us who desire to live for Christ):
Be alert!
Stepping out in faith doesn’t mean we adopt a rash or careless approach. We are to exercise wisdom and prudence and to guard against temptation. We are to remember we have an enemy who wants to see us fail.
Be aware!
Suffering, struggles, and setbacks are part of the normal Christian experience. When we’re knocked down, we needn’t feel like it’s because we’ve done something wrong. Sometimes opposition comes because we’re doing the right thing.
Be assured!
We can rest in the assurance that our loving heavenly Father notices our suffering. He has a glorious future planned for us. And right now, he sees our suffering. (I love that God says it will only be for a “little while.”) After a little while, he’ll restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us.
So what, exactly, will God do when we’re knocked down? I looked up the Greek words that are translated “restore,” “confirm,” “strengthen,” and “establish.”
The Greek word katarizois translated “restore,” or “perfect.” It means to mend or to make something the way it’s supposed to be. When we’re knocked down, God heals our hurts. He fixes us.
“Confirm,” is sterizo in Greek. It means “to make stable, place firmly, set fast.” When, like a toddler, we take a tumble, God picks us up and sets us on our feet again. When our lives seem to be wobbling out of control, God will make us stable.
The Greek word sthenoo is used only once in the New Testament, and it means “strengthen.” When we are weak, God makes us strong.
The fourth word is themelioo in Greek. Different versions of the English Bible translate it as “establish,” “settle,” “support,” “make steadfast,” “make you firm,” and “keep you from falling.” Themelioo gives us a picture of being established on a firm foundation, like the wise man’s house built on a rock (Matt. 7:24).
New challenges may intimidate us because we know an enemy lurks around, and he’s not just a rambunctious family pet like Remy. He means to harm us and thwart our progress. But our heavenly Father is always watching.
I’ve taken my share of tumbles in the process of learning to walk by faith. On many occasions, I’ve suffered for a little while. But each time, God picked me up and set me on my feet again. When unexpected catastrophes happen, I have to keep reminding myself that God is always faithful.
Our heavenly Father doesn’t promise we won’t be knocked down. But he does promise he’ll always be with us and will restore and establish us. As we learn to walk by faith, we won’t be thrown off-balance by difficulties that come our way.
Father, so often I feel like a little child, trying to take those first tentative steps of faith. I’m surrounded by opposition. But when circumstances knock me down, you pick me up and mend my wounds. You help me get back on my feet again. Help me to become established in my faith, so that when difficulties come, I won’t be shaken. Amen.
Scripture for Reflection
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Pet. 4:12 ESV)
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:9-10 ESV)
“He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.” (Ps. 40:2 ESV)
Reach for More
What steps of faith have you taken this week?
What obstacles have you encountered—large or small?
Our faith is strengthened when we recall God’s faithfulness to us in the past. Recall a time when you faced hardships or calamities. How did God help you get back on your feet again?
spends most days teaching a classroom full of lively five-and six-year-olds. She’s attracted to be fragrance of vanilla, the printed word, and all things blue and white. She delights in spending time with her husband and family, singing praises with her church choir peeps, and traveling. Her heart’s desire is to know God better and learn to trust him more. You can read more of her writing at MargaretKemp.com.
Photograph © Sixteen Miles Out, used with permission
