Rising Again: God's Grace in Our Struggles

Life is not a fantasy, and faith does not shield us from the real troubles, perplexities, persecutions, and moments of being cast down that we all face. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, is honest about the hardships he endured—he doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of suffering. Yet, he draws a line between being troubled and being distressed, between being perplexed and being in despair, between being persecuted and being forsaken, and between being cast down and being destroyed. The difference is not the absence of hardship, but the presence of God’s sustaining grace and power.

Throughout Scripture, we see a pattern: God’s people are often knocked down, but never left to be destroyed. David cried out from the depths of a horrible pit and miry clay, yet God lifted him up and set his feet on a rock. Jonah went down, down, down—into the ship, into the sea, into the belly of the whale—yet when he prayed, God brought him back up and restored his mission. The devil is a “throwing down” adversary, but our God is a “lifting up” Savior. No matter how low we go, God’s reach is lower still, and His power to restore is greater than any force that seeks to keep us down.

It’s not shameful to admit you’ve been knocked down. Paul himself was both a persecutor and persecuted, and he knew what it was to be struck down. The righteous may fall seven times, but they rise again. The key is not to avoid every fall, but to refuse to stay down. The enemy wants to convince us that we are forsaken, forgotten, and finished, but God’s Word declares otherwise. Even when the world, sin, or circumstances have left us half dead, like the man on the Jericho road, Jesus comes as the Good Samaritan to lift us up, heal our wounds, and restore us.

The call is to adopt a winner’s mindset—not because of our own strength, but because of the God who is mighty in our midst. The race is not to the swift, but to those who endure, who get up one more time than they’ve been knocked down. No matter what has knocked you down—addiction, failure, persecution, or despair—God is not finished with you. He is here to pick you up, restore your joy, and set you back on your feet. Refuse to let your story end in defeat; by God’s grace, you shall arise.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Honest Faith Faces Reality, Not Denial Paul’s words remind us that faith is not about pretending troubles don’t exist. He openly acknowledges being troubled, perplexed, persecuted, and cast down. True faith is not denial, but the courage to face reality with the confidence that God’s presence makes all the difference. [01:07]
• 2. God’s Grace Draws the Line Between Knocked Down and Destroyed Being struck down is not the same as being destroyed. The difference is God’s sustaining grace, which keeps us from being overcome by our circumstances. Even when we are at our lowest, God’s power is able to lift us up and restore us, just as He did for David and Jonah. [13:36]
• 3. Admitting Weakness is the Pathway to God’s Help There is no shame in confessing that you are in a pit or overwhelmed by life. Sometimes, the only way to receive help is to admit you need it. When we cry out from our lowest places, God hears and responds, pulling us out of the mire and setting us on solid ground. [10:42]
• 4. The Righteous Rise Again—Persistence Over Perfection Scripture teaches that the just may fall seven times, but they rise again. The mark of a righteous life is not never falling, but always getting back up. Victory belongs to those who refuse to let failure or defeat be the final word, trusting that God’s grace is sufficient for every comeback. [20:07]
• 5. Jesus Lifts Up What the Enemy Tears Down The enemy’s strategy is to throw down, steal, and destroy, but Jesus is the lifter of our heads and the restorer of our souls. Whether you’ve been left half dead by life’s thieves or torn by spiritual battles, Jesus comes to heal, restore, and raise you up. The story is not over until God says it’s over. [30:50]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:07] - Opening Prayer and Gratitude
• [03:50] - The Reality of Trouble and Persecution
• [06:12] - Not Forsaken: God’s Presence in Hardship
• [08:36] - David’s Testimony: From the Pit to the Rock
• [10:42] - Prayers from the Depths: God’s Deliverance
• [12:21] - Delivered from the Lowest Hell
• [13:36] - God is a Pulling Up God
• [15:45] - Jonah: Down, Down, Down—But Not Out
• [16:27] - The Reach of God’s Mercy
• [18:12] - Paul’s Honesty About Being Knocked Down
• [20:07] - The Righteous Rise Again
• [22:28] - Refusing to Stay Down: A Mindset of Victory
• [25:24] - Jesus Lifts Up What the Enemy Tears Down
• [30:50] - The Good Samaritan: Restoration After Being Left Half Dead
• [33:44] - Jesus is Here to Pick Us Up
• [36:24] - Closing and Call to Rise Again

Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (ESV) — > We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

Psalm 40:1-3 (ESV) — > I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.

Proverbs 24:16 (ESV) — > For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

Observation Questions

1. In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Paul lists four hardships he faces. What are they, and how does he contrast each one with a statement of hope?
2. According to Psalm 40:1-3, what actions does God take for David when he is in a “horrible pit”?
3. In Proverbs 24:16, what is the difference between the righteous and the wicked when they fall?
4. The sermon mentions that Paul is honest about his struggles and doesn’t sugarcoat them. Why is this honesty important for faith?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul makes a point to say he is “struck down, but not destroyed”? What does this reveal about his understanding of God’s role in suffering?
2. The sermon says, “It’s not shameful to admit you’ve been knocked down.” How does admitting weakness open the door for God’s help, according to both David’s and Paul’s experiences?
3. The phrase “the righteous falls seven times and rises again” suggests persistence over perfection. What does this teach about the nature of a righteous life?
4. The sermon describes Jesus as the one who “lifts up what the enemy tears down.” How does this shape our view of setbacks and spiritual battles?

Application Questions

1. Paul doesn’t deny his troubles, but he refuses to let them define him. Is there a situation in your life right now where you’ve been tempted to pretend everything is fine instead of being honest about your struggles? What would it look like to face reality with faith this week?
2. The sermon says, “Sometimes the only way to get help is to admit we’re in a horrible pit.” Is there an area where you need to cry out for help—from God or from others? What’s holding you back from doing so?
3. Think about a time when you felt “knocked down” by life—whether by failure, addiction, loss, or discouragement. What helped you get back up? If you’re still down, what’s one step you can take this week to move toward restoration?
4. The sermon challenges us to “refuse to let your story end in defeat.” Are there any areas where you’ve started to believe the enemy’s lie that you are “forsaken, forgotten, or finished”? How can you remind yourself of God’s truth in those moments?
5. The story of the Good Samaritan was used as an example of Jesus lifting up those left “half dead.” Who in your life might be feeling “half dead” right now? What practical step can you take to be a “Good Samaritan” to them this week?
6. The sermon says, “The key to winning is just to get up one more time than your adversary.” What does “getting up” look like for you in your current season? Is there a specific action, prayer, or mindset you need to adopt?
7. The pastor said, “No matter how low we go, God’s reach is lower still.” How does this truth encourage you in your lowest moments? Is there a verse or promise from today’s study you want to hold onto this week?