Where you go when you fall determines how you rise again.

I really wanted to start with that today. ☺️

Because I’m always impressed by how honest the Bible is when it tells stories about heroes of faith. It doesn’t pretend these people were superhumanly strong or emotionless. Instead, it shows us where they brought their very human feelings.

Daniel was no exception. He wasn’t unshakable, but he was deeply anchored.

When Daniel 10 describes how he mourned for three weeks, ate no rich food, and collapsed in exhaustion, we see a man who was overwhelmed. BUT, look closely:

He didn’t complain horizontally—he cried out vertically! He didn’t throw himself at the feet of his friends—he threw himself before God!

And because of that, something incredible happens: God Himself strengthens him.

An angel tells him, “Daniel, you are very precious to God…” (Daniel 10:11, NLT) 

Wouldn’t you want to experience that too?

Deeply challenging seasons are often moments when people may not be able to reach your heart… But God can! ❤️ Daniel shows us a spiritual principle we often forget:

People can walk beside you on the outside, but only God can restore you on the inside.

Yes, we need friends. Don’t get me wrong. But we also need a place where we are truly allowed to fall while already knowing with certainty: here, I won’t just fall… here, I will rise again! 

Maybe you’re thinking right now, “I can’t—and I don’t want to—always be strong.” Then please hear this: you don’t have to be. You only need to know where you’re bringing your weakness today.

Because one thing is certain: where you go when you fall determines how you rise again.

You can be sure of this: God loves you too.

And, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isaiah 40:29, NIV) 

You are a miracle!

Here’s the link to the original devotional and information about the author:

A Miracle Every Day: Deborah Rosencrantz

My Thoughts

As someone who has fallen a great deal (physically), I can tell you that I think this is a wonderful analogy. No matter who is walking beside me, I can still fall, and not gracefully either. How I get up again takes a lot of maneuvering with chairs, canes and even my walker.

The spiritual analogy is spot-on accurate. No matter how far away you turn from God, you always have to turn back. He will help you get up again and face whatever the future brings if you just take things to Him to help you handle them. God brings complete restoration, not a band-aid to our problems. He understands that we are human and make dumb choices at times, but He also has a plan for that. It’s called kneeling at the cross, repenting and asking Him to help you get up again.