When You Get Knocked Down

They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing he was dead. But when the disciples gathered around him, he got up and entered the city. On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. After they had proclaimed the good news to that city and made a considerable number of disciples….They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” Acts 14:19-22

December 24, 2009, Pope Benedict was leading a Midnight Christmas Mass processional in St. Peter’s Basilica, when a crazed woman jumped the barrier, and knocked him to the ground. Though not injured, his mitre (hat) fell from his head, and his staff was struck from his hand. Amazingly, Benedict got up, put his hat back on, picked up his staff, and continued the televised Mass worldwide. God spoke to me in that event, “when you are knocked down, to always get back up and keep moving forward!” I have experienced several knockdowns in my ministry but I have never been knocked out! We too can be knocked down by life’s circumstances and people who intend to do us harm.

The Apostle Paul was knocked out, and left for dead after being stoned for preaching the gospel in Lystra. However, his supporters encircled him, and he got back up and continued to proclaim the gospel in other places. Nothing could keep him down because he recognized that hardship was part of his journey and that God would raise him up. Though injured, he traveled on to the next city and preached the gospel again in Derbe.

No matter what people tell you, if you are standing firm for the things of Christ, you too will face many hardships. You may even get knocked down. But, don’t stay there, get back up! God will surround you with people who love you and will pray for you to regain your strength and move forward. “So put on all of God's armor. Evil days will come. But you will be able to stand up to anything. And after you have done everything you can, you will still be standing” (Eph. 6:13).

God has promised an unstoppable spirit to those who do not give up and who push through the pain and journey of suffering for the gospel.

Father, thank you for helping me get back up when life and other people knock me down. I thank you for helping press on through hardship to enter the Kingdom of God. When I was left for dead, you gathered a community of grace and love to help me get up and continue my ministry. Thank you for the example of Paul, who was left for dead, but you raised him up to preach the gospel in many more places. Help me to follow his example.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Link to video clip of Pope Benedict being knocked down Dec. 24, 2009