Falling down is never a pleasant experience. I try to avoid it. It hurts. It really hurts my ego. It’s hard to see the benefit on the way down, but if you don’t fall down you don’t get the opportunity to get back up.

We were hiking near the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. It was getting dark. Curt and Jackson wanted to keep going. I was concerned about being able to see, and I was getting cold. We separated and I began to head down.

I was trying to go quickly as it was getting harder to see. I just wanted to get back to the vehicle. Then a rock grabbed my foot and down I went. It was a face first splat on the trail. My first instinct was to make sure no one saw me. My second instinct was to make sure I didn’t break anything. I stood up, brushed myself off and kept going.

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.
    I’ve called your name. You’re mine.
When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.
    When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you’re between a rock and a hard place,
    it won’t be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God,
    The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you:
    all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That’s how much you mean to me!
    That’s how much I love you!
I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,
    trade the creation just for you.(Isaiah 43: 1-4 MSG)

Remember, it’s in falling down that we get to get back up again. That is when we get the breakthrough. That is when we learn, adjust, lean on God, and keep going. That is when we gain wisdom and confidence.

As much as I try to avoid falling, it is when I’m reminded that God has me. It teaches me to rely on the One who can part the waters. Falling down isn’t the end. It is part of the journey where I get to learn, grow and rely on the deep love and assurance of God.

What do you do when you fall down? Do you lean on God? Do you get back up? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.