If You Don’t Hold On, You Won’t Get Up
If You Don’t Hold On,
You Won’t Get Up
Commissioner Debi Bell
Retired Officer
USA Western Territory
Scripture: James 1:2-4
Life lessons and the wisdom gleaned from them come in all shapes and forms. Some life lessons happen in traditional classrooms, but most happen when we are not looking for them.
My family did not have a lot of money left over after bills were paid so family vacations usually consisted of visiting my grandmother in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Although Carlsbad was only a 60-mile drive, the trip was considered expensive because it also meant my mom lost wages while away from work.
Getting Up on Skis
Some summers, we camped along the Pecos River—fishing, sleeping under the stars and cooking our meals over a campfire. One summer a family friend invited us to go out on their ski boat and learn to water ski. When it was my turn, I received a lot of advice. My Mom was worried about me drowning if I fell over and kept clinging to the rope handle. She said that if I got too much water in my face, I should let go. As the boat gained momentum, I panicked and let go too soon, sinking back into the water.
The second time, I held on just long enough to rise out of the water. For about 30 exhilarating seconds, I was up—until the rope’s tension overpowered my grip, and I lost hold. There were so many of us that I did not get a third try that day. Years later, I did get another opportunity to water ski, but I still could not hold on long enough to stay up on the water.
That day, I learned an important life lesson: If you don’t hold on, you won’t get up. Strength training and endurance are important when trying to master water skiing and other things in our physical and spiritual lives.
Strength Through Trials
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:2-4 NLT).
Finding “great joy” in trials is difficult, even when I recognize the trials as opportunities for growth. Yet, I see the wisdom in God’s words found in this passage from James. I do not like trouble, I like easy.
Am I alone in my desire to avoid life “troubles” and struggle? (I see that hand.)
There have been times in my life when I just did not have the strength to hold on, I could feel my grip failing. Just when I felt all was lost, God stepped in and helped me. Sometimes it was through my husband, other times it was through a friend, yet always God’s assuring Presence giving me the strength I needed.
Did you ever notice that we encourage people to hold on, but we ask them how they are holding up?
Moses’ Staff
In Exodus 17:8-13 we read about Moses sending Joshua and his army into battle. He told Joshua that he would hold up the Staff of God. While Moses held up the staff, Joshua and the soldiers had the advantage. When Moses lowered the staff to rest his arms, the Amalekites had the advantage. Good thing that Arron and Hur had joined Moses on the mountain when Moses lost strength in his arms. They sat Moses down on a rock and together they help Moses hold up his arms and the staff. Joshua and his soldiers won the battle.
The second verse of “He Giveth More Grace”, Song 30 in The Salvation Army Song Book, comes to mind:
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
Who stands beside you on your mountain of ministry? Who reminds you to rest so they can help carry the weight of your calling?
Everyone needs an encourager or two to tell you to hang on so you can get up and be there to help you hold up when your strength has failed. Pray and ask God to help you identify your encouragers. Remember our Father’s full giving is only begun.
Our Corporate Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank You once again for the counsel of Your Word. You remind us so very often that we need to trust You in the storm an in our trials, not just to get us through them but because You are doing something in us. We must cling to You, trust in You, believe in Your shaping and molding us into what You want us to be - in the very image of Christ. Thank You for those who stand with and encourage us like Aaron and Hur stood with and strengthened Moses. Help us to be strong in You even as You build strength in us. We pray this in Your Almighty name, Amen.
Our Worldwide Prayer Meeting
Indonesia Territory
Thinking It Through
Can you think of times in your life when holding on made the difference between victory and defeat? What did you learn from those experiences? How did they shape you and help you when future trials came? What would you tell a struggling Christian now?
Notable Quotables
I've found the secret of success,
'Tis holding on, 'Tis holding on;
The way to every blessedness,
'Tis holding on, 'Tis holding on.
Our warfare may be hard and fierce,
Oft Satan's arrows wound and pierce,
But still we get more smiles than tears
By holding on, by holding on.
- Ruth Tracy
During difficult times, a song can often comfort us as few things can. One of those is the old spiritual, "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" brought to us by Gaither Music TV.
We would appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions on how to improve these devotionals. Please email comments to: SpiritualLifeDevelopment@uss.salvationarmy.org or by going to our website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/uss/spiritual-life-development.
We would love to hear from you.
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Territorial Spiritual Life Development Officer/THQ Chaplain
USA Southern Territory