I’m Never Down! Really?

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 Have you ever heard the saying, “I’m never down. I’m either up or getting up.”? The premise is really good, nice, warm and fuzzy even, but totally BOGUS! There are times you truly are down!

I have had times in my life when I was down. Really down! When the doctor told me I had cancer, my world plummeted. I thought how could I have gotten cancer! I never smoked, I never had sex, I never took drugs, I never did anything to cause cancer! Why me?! 

My world crashed when my dad, developed dementia and died from related complications.  Then two years later my mom died from Covid. And my world crashed again. There were 2 parent sized holes left in my heart. 

You say, man you have had a rough time!

I’m not telling you this for sympathy. My point is these and other situations will cause times when you are down. Truly down! It is a part of the human existence.  It is called life. However you cannot spend your life down wallowing in despair, pain, and yes, at times, pity. 

David said in Psalm 42:11 “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?” David was struggling, whether it was when Saul was chasing him, or when his baby lay dying. David didn’t give up and stay there. He cried out to God for help.  In the next part of this verse, David says “Hope in God; for yet I shall praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.”   Isaiah 41:10 gives us the big picture. It say do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Why? Because God is with us. He will strengthen and help us. And when we are down He will hold us up in His loving hand. If we turn to Jesus, and rest in Him, He will strengthen us and lift us back up on our feet (Lynne’s paraphrase).

So I would change the saying to say, “I may be down, but Jesus is with me, holding me up. In Him I am up and getting up!”  I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

So my friend if you have been battered down by situations, lean in to Christ. He will be your strength and lift you back up on your feet. He will never leave you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)


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