FALLING DOWN, BUT RISING AGAIN

 

MorningStar Stories Hundreds of people at MorningStar have extraordinary experiences or receive a word from the Lord, but not all of these are shared from the stage. This is one of those words. Falling Down, but Rising Again “God works all things together for good, to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.” —Romans 8:28 Who would have thought that greeting a fellow MorningStar University (MSU) student with a side-stepping happy dance would result in a stumble then a hard tumble? Yet there I was, flat on my back, with various concerned faces peering at me and asking all sorts of questions. My pain level shot up to a 10, but I was so confused. The fall felt like it was in slow motion and yet lightening fast all at once. I immediately heard the sounds of intercession in tongues and words of healing, and this helped me ground my thoughts. If you are going to fall over, church is probably the best place, because you have immediate prayer cover. As a licensed massage therapist by trade, I was trying to quell thoughts of how on earth was I going to work? A flood of questions I had no answer to went bursting through my mind like popcorn erupting. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee because he trusteth in Thee.” —Isaiah 26:3 The promises of God really do bring solace. In typical athletic fashion (I have been a competitive runner for over 40 years), I elected to wait till the next day to see if the pain and swelling would subside. I placed ice on the injured areas, and then sat listening to the speakers at the Advanced Prophetic Conference I was attending. I was trying my best to focus on the Lord through the distraction of an aching hand and wrist. “In everything gave thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” —1 Thessalonians 5:18 Right away I felt a wave of relief that it wasn’t my right dominant arm that had suffered insult, and I could wiggle my fingers a little even on the left. I thank the Lord for His body, the church. Various people continued to check on me and pray, one gave me a lemon balm essential oil to rub into the bruising. “Now the body is not made up of one part but of many, if the foot should say 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body', it would not for that reason cease to be a part of the body... The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don’t need you!' and the head cannot say to the feet 'I don’t need you!'” —1 Corinthians 12:15-17 Roll forward less than 24 hours from my tumble. God answered my prayers as to which Urgent Care to go to—there are many in the area. I needed the Holy Spirit to send me to the right one. Within an hour of our decision to attend the recommended location, I was receiving x-rays for my wrist and arm, my husband Eric by my side. The staff were very cheerful and smiling, I found myself in typical Sarah fashion making jokes, especially about my elegant gown with an opening in the back for ventilation—a typical clinical covering. Eric and I left the Urgent Care with the news that there was a fracture near the radial head at the elbow, but no bones broken in the wrist or hand. To my great surprise, the whole visit added up to the tune of $107 including the seven x-rays. God had already provided this amount through the generosity of a praying friend. With my left arm safely ensconced in a sling, we left the clinic marveling at the goodness of God. “I am certain to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” —Psalms 27:13 I was determined to attend church the following day and worship with my tribe. If you want to defeat the enemy, offer up a sacrifice of praise. Even though one arm was sling bound, I could at least raise the other arm high and worship the One who is always worthy. As I went to find my seat after the worship time, one of the ushers handed me an envelope and gently told me that people wanted to help me. The envelope contained $150; my eyes flooded with tears at the twinkle in his eye. I thanked him profusely and sat down, tears steaming down my cheeks. It was Mother’s Day, and Chris Reed was preaching at both services. It was such an unusual and pertinent message. I literally remained to hear it twice. Chris spoke of the left-handed warriors from a rather obscure passage in Judges 20. The sermon started to feel like it was customized for my situation, yet I could tell the deeply mined treasures of this particular word was impacting many. While I am not doing massages at the moment, I am nonetheless working on my prayer life. My physical body may have had a blow but my spirit is being built up a by cultivating my prayer language in a deeper way. “One who speaks in a tongues edifies himself.” —1 Corinthians 14:4 It’s not so much about falling down, but rising again. Our dearest Lord Jesus took a fatal blow for all mankind, yet He is the perfect example of resurrection life. As Rick Joyner says, “never waste a trial!” Seeming setbacks can be opportunities in this season of uncertainty. I’ve been given a unique opportunity to practice thankfulness and to cultivate other fruits of the Spirit. Patience and self-control are two that spring to mind. Though normal running is out for the moment, the Lord has provided the beauty of nature and prayer walks. Now I’m noticing all the stunning details inside the woods I would have normally zipped by. Our redemptive God really does give beauty for ashes and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. —Sarah A. “Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness the Lord will be my light.” —Micah 7:8

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