Get Back Up

    It is a true statement that the real character of a person is seen not by how they handle victories, but how they handle defeats. A prime example of a person pushing on through adversity is definitely Abraham Lincoln. In Lincoln's personal life he faced the death of a child.  In his business life he had failures.  In his pursuit of a law degree, he was rejected from law school.  In his political life he was defeated again and again in his runs for office.  Most people would have sunk into permanent depression and lost any ambition to better themselves; not Lincoln.  He pressed on to become the sixteenth President of the United States.

Lincoln's determined character is clearly heard in this quote, "My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failures."
   We all fail, we all fall.  The important thing is this, are you willing to get back up and try again?  That is what Lincoln was saying.  That's what Lincoln's life was displaying.  Never give up!  Proverbs 24:16 says, "For though a righteous man falls seven times, he gets back up."
    Lincoln reiterated the same thought again in another speech, "I am not concerned that you have fallen. I am concerned that you arise."

Jesus told a parable about two sons.  One son was asked to go work in the field by his father.  The son said to his father that he would go, but disobeyed and did not go. The second son told his father flatly that he would not go, but later felt guilty and headed off to work in obedience to his father.  Truly, the second son failed his father in his first response.  The son could have said to himself, "I have already disappointed my father, so what's done is done." However, he got up. Yes, he initially had failed, BUT HE GOT UP.

My brothers and sisters, you will face adversity in your walk with God.  Keep going! You will face disappointments.  Keep going!  You will experience failures.  Keep going! We all will fall many times before we reach the Promised land. Get back up!  Don't lay crippled by failure.  You have no idea what God wants to do with your life, don't stay down.  A righteous man falls seven times, but he GETS BACK UP.