You Gotta Fall Down to Get Back Up Again

Why do we end dreaming? Why do we sometimes give up on our dreams and settle for our reality? Possibly nosotros've been knocked downwardly a few too many times and nosotros're tired of getting dorsum up and trying again? Or, nosotros get discouraged and frustrated when all our attempts at reaching our dreams fail? We lose our hope and our faith that nosotros'll reach those dreams, then we give up dreaming.

Do yous remember that popular (and annoying) vocal "Tubthumping (I Become Knocked Downward)" by the British band Chumbawamba from the 90s? The lyrics repeated this line over and over and it's been in my head as I've been thinking through this postal service.

I go knocked down
But I get up again
Y'all're never going to keep me down

When we feel like life just keeps knocking united states of america down and we're non sure we can keep getting up once more, we can take hope from Joseph. Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, knew most getting knocked down. Literally. Down into a well.

His life reads like a boxing match, each rounding ending with Joseph about knocked out, yet he stands back upward and continues fighting.

Round 1: Sold into slavery past his own brothers

His ain brothers, plotting to kill him, threw him into a well and so opted to sell him into slavery instead. Stripped of all familial love and the special glaze his male parent had given him every bit a sign of honor and approval, he was rejected by those who should have loved him almost.

Circular 2: Unjustly accused and imprisoned

He survived that harrowing ordeal and ended up in the household of Potiphar, ane of Pharoah's officials. Joseph got back on his feet and became Potiphar'southward trusted household manager. His life seemed to be getting back on rail and recovering from his early setback.

And so, Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him and, when he rejected her, she lied to her husband that Joseph had tried to attack her. Joseph was thrown in prison, stripped again of all honor and respect.

Round three: Finally released from prison, merely to endure a 7 year dearth

While in prison, Joseph once again earned favor and was placed in charge of the other prisoners. He stayed in the prison house for more than two years, until he had an opportunity to interpret Pharoah's dreams. When he provided an interpretation, Pharoah released Joseph from prison and made him leader over all the people, to pb them through the coming famine.

Through seven years of enough, he had to convince the Egyptian people to build a stock pile of their harvest. So, through seven years of famine, he had to manage those rations to go on people fed, nonetheless suffer until the rains returned.

Circular 4: Reunited and reconciled with his family unit

Through Joseph's leadership, the Egyptian people prepared for and survived the 7 year famine and were able to assist neighboring peoples, including Joseph's own family. He was reunited with his brothers and father.

Joseph's brothers were aback of their deportment toward him and afraid Joseph would seek retribution, yet here is how he reassured them:

But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for adept accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. And so then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:19-21 NIV)

Joseph ended the friction match on his anxiety, victorious over the setbacks he faced in life. He relied on God to see him through everything life brought his way, praising God throughout. How he named his sons gives us a glimpse into the depth of his faith and reliance on God.

Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, "It is because God has fabricated me forget all my trouble and all my father'south household." The second son he named Ephraim and said, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering." (Genesis 41:51-52 NIV)

Nosotros lose our style,
We get back up again
It'south never too belatedly to become back up again,
I mean solar day yous will shine again,
Y'all may be knocked downwardly,
But not out forever,
Lose our way,
We get back up once again,
So get upwardly, go up,
You lot gonna smoothen again,
Never too late to get back up once again,
You may exist knocked downward,
Simply non out forever

("Get Back Upward" – Toby Mac)

Joseph was knocked downward over and over, yet kept getting support and forging alee. What can we learn from Joseph?

1) Don't let a setback (or many) discourage you from dreaming.

Joseph felt chosen to exist a leader from a young age and was encouraged through his dreams. He connected to find ways to lead, even when in slavery and in prison.

2) Don't let yourself become mired in acrimony or bitterness, but proceed focused on how you tin can make the most of each state of affairs.

When we let a setback take away our dreams, we risk losing our hope, our faith, and our heart. Even though Joseph faced some dire situations and could easily have get resentful and angry, he remained positive and even forgiving.

3) Stay faithful and in prayer through the expert and the bad.

Others may have forgotten Joseph, but God never did. God was with Joseph through every footstep of his journey.

Nosotros all fall down
It'due south the getting' back upwards that really counts
We live and we acquire
To aid someone upward when information technology's their plough
In life at that place'southward only one guarantee
Your feet won't ever exist on the footing
'Cause we all fall down
We all fall down
Simply you gotta get back up

("We All Fall Downwards" – Diamond Rio)

Are y'all feeling downwards for the count and non sure y'all tin can get support and fight another circular? I promise y'all'll take heart from Joseph's story that God is with you through all the ups and downs of life. Mayhap your victory round is just around the corner, so get back upwards and keep trying.

Don't interfere with good people'south lives;
don't endeavour to become the best of them.
No matter how many times you lot trip them up,
God-loyal people don't stay down long;
Soon they're up on their anxiety,
while the wicked end upwardly flat on their faces.

Proverbs 24:15-16 (The Bulletin)

This post is office of the "Imagine God's Possible" series. For more information or to read other posts in the serial, click hither: Dream the Impossible… Imagine God'southward Possible

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Source: https://www.prayerandpossibilities.com/we-get-knocked-down-but-we-get-up-again/

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