Autumn’s cascading leaves and glimmer of auburn across the horizon offers a perfect setting to consider falling. Though I’m as prone as Lucile Ball’s screen characters to stumble through my home, today’s blog won’t highlight the comic relief of physical clumsiness. As we delve into squash season, let’s take a moment to plan how we deal with a spiritual spill.
Even the most grace-filled Christians trip over their tongues, attitudes, and fingertips now and then. Asking whether we’ll stumble remains a moot point. The significant issue lies with what we do during and afterward.
How do you cope with your fall?
1. Do not stiffen.
Bracing against the impact includes techniques such as denial, burying, avoidance, and blame-shifting. Take responsibility. Apologize. Don’t put it off.
2. Use your knees.
Pray. Ask the Lord to help you humble your mind and heart as soon as possible. Pray. Seek reorientation and transformation from the Holy Spirit. Pray. Listen for direction from the Lord, scripture, and mature Christians. Did I mention you should pray?
3. Take the hand helping you up.
Jesus might lift you up in Spirit, or also employ a Christian friend in the process. Once your heart has changed, take that grace extended to you.
4. Move on.
Only the enemy would have us remain defeated in the dirt. God convicts us in order to move us forward in His purpose.
If you absorb all the spiritual renewal Christ offers in the process, God can strengthen you beyond your pre-tumbled state. Learn. Transform. Proceed.
May Jesus bless your autumn and renew you through every fall.
“…only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’
‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.'” – John 8:9-11
