"Rising From the Fall"

“Rising from the Fall”

Part 1: When Failure Strikes, God Offers a Second Chance

Every one of us, at some point in our lives, has experienced failure. Whether it’s a moral lapse, a moment of weakness, or a decision that took us off course, these failures can leave us feeling profoundly disqualified, discouraged, or even discarded. We might believe that because we "messed up," our story is over, or that God is done with us. However, this is far from the truth, for we serve the God of second chances. He is not finished with you just because you stumbled.

The Scriptures remind us in Proverbs 24:16, "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again." This powerful verse underscores that falling is not the end; rising is what truly matters. God has a specific plan for your life, and it is certainly not His will for you to remain in the place where you fell. Just as inventor Thomas Edison famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” He understood that setbacks are part of the process. We, too, should recognize that failure is not final when God is in the picture.

Consider the prophet Jonah. He clearly understood God's command but chose to run in the opposite direction, buying a ticket for Tarshish instead of going to Nineveh. This was a significant act of disobedience, a direct failure to fulfill his divine mission. Yet, even in his rebellion, God pursued him. In the belly of a fish, Jonah cried out, repented, and God extended His mercy. This demonstrates that when we repent and return, He forgives, restores, and redirects our path. Your missteps do not define your destiny when God is actively involved in your life.