Exercise Your Comeback Capacity
“8 We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair;
9 We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed.”
(II Corinthians 4:8, 9 “Amplified Bible” with bracketed inserts for clarity.)
Knocked down, but not knocked out, does that sound like a summary of your biography?
It is not whether we will find ourselves in a spiritual battle, but when. Scripture tells us how our predecessors responded and how we should.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2).
Paul knowingly says it’s part of our privilege as believers. “It has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” (Philippians 1:29)
Often even a molehill will morph into a difficult mountain to climb. Little surprises become big “hits.” You have been there, right? The fact you have been there is reason to know you are very likely to be there again.
The term “struck down” refers to the sudden emergency, the unforeseen incident, the crisis that seems to come out of nowhere, the catastrophe that overwhelms us, the earthquake of trouble that rocks our world.
Mike Tyson famously remarked, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” If you live long enough, you’ll be punched in the mouth more than once. Sometimes you’ll see the blow coming. More often it seems to come out of nowhere.
Compounding this is we have a combatant who specializes in sucker punches that floor us. Only because of Jesus we are not crushed, despairing, forsaken, or destroyed by Satan.
Our adversary wants to cause pain and suffering to the effective witness of every fruitful disciple. Satan is he who seeks to crush and perplex our work and witness. He wants to contain us and force us into every ungodly mold. He uses whatever method he can to persecute and perplex us, to oppress and embarrass us and bring us to the point of desperation.
When down, be encouraged by the fact “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
Even Jesus was once down, crucified, and buried and, for a time, the enemy surely rejoiced. But Jesus got up on the third day. Here is good news, the same power that raised him from the dead is at work in you as a believer. So, get up.
It is remarkable how resilient that Jesus can help us become. We will always have ups and downs in life. Be assured He will enable us to have one more “get up” than “knock down.” Remember, Who your Trainer is and that He is in your corner.
He is a Master of recovery. Talk to Him. Seek His advice. He loves you.