The Bounce Back--Mother's Day Edition

Life has a way of throwing curveballs at us, doesn't it? One moment we're soaring high, and the next, we find ourselves face-down in the dirt, wondering how we got there. But what if I told you that you have an innate ability to bounce back from any setback? That within you lies a power so profound, it can transform your darkest moments into stepping stones for greatness?
Let's dive into a truth that's both empowering and humbling: You are of God. Not just created by God, but of God. Think about that for a moment. Just as a baby elephant inherits the DNA of its parents, we inherit the very nature of our Creator. This isn't blasphemy; it's biblical truth found in 1 John 4:4 - "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."  This reality changes everything. It means that when you approach situations, you should do so as an overcomer, as a victor. Why? Because you have the same DNA as the One who spoke the universe into existence. The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in you!
But here's where many of us get stuck. We focus more on our problems than on God's promises. We lose sight of His love in moments when situations feel bigger than our control. So how do we break free from this cycle and truly bounce back?

• First, remind yourself of God's love. Romans 8:32 tells us, "He that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" If God didn't even spare His own Son for you, why would He withhold anything else you need? This verse is a powerful reminder of God's unwavering commitment to us, even in our insufficiencies.
• Second, stop comparing yourself to others. Comparison is a breeding ground for insecurity, jealousy, and fear. The Bible calls it unwise and even ignorant (2 Corinthians 10:12). When you compare yourself to others, you're often looking at a cropped reality - their highlight reel against your behind-the-scenes footage. Remember, you don't go home with them. You don't know what battles they're fighting in private.
• Third, don't self-criticize. Instead, manage your emotions by understanding the nature of seasons. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that "To everything there is a season." Whatever hell you're going through right now has an expiration date. It will not last forever. Seasons guarantee change, giving us hope that our situation will turn around.
  The Apostle Paul beautifully captures this sentiment in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." No matter what you're facing, there is always hope.

But here's a crucial point: While in your current season, there are things you're supposed to learn. Many people stay stuck in their wilderness, never reaching their promised land, because they fail to grasp the lessons of their current season. Instead of complaining about what's happening or what didn't happen, ask yourself: "Lord, what am I supposed to learn here? How is this preparing me for my next season?"  Remember the children of Israel? An entire generation died out in the wilderness, never seeing the promised land, because they couldn't learn the lessons God was teaching them. Don't make the same mistake. Your advancement into the next season depends on what you're learning and discerning now.
So how do we practically apply this? 2 Corinthians 4:18 gives us the key: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Focus on God's promises, not your current circumstances. There are over 8,000 promises in the Bible, and according to 2 Corinthians, all of God's promises are "yes" and "amen."
Imagine you're pursuing a degree while juggling work, family, and other responsibilities. It's tempting to give up when things get tough. But what if you kept your eyes fixed on graduation day? That day will come whether you're ready or not. The question is: Will you be walking across that stage?  The same principle applies to your life. Your next season is coming, whether you're ready or not. The question is: Will you be prepared to step into the opportunities God has for you?

Here's a powerful truth: You determine how long you stay in the valley. You determine how long you let fear crowd your mind. You determine how long you stay upset or angered. It's time to take back control of your life. Find out what God's Word says about your situation and use it to shift the atmosphere in the spirit realm. Remember, nothing is permanent except God and His promises. Your current struggle is just a season, and seasons always change. Don't make permanent decisions based on temporary situations. Instead, use this time to prepare for your next level.

In closing, let's reflect on the incredible truth we started with: You are of God. You have His DNA. You have the ability to bounce back from anything life throws at you. So fix your eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. Focus on God's promises, learn the lessons of your current season, and prepare yourself for the incredible future God has in store for you.

Your bounce back story is just beginning. Are you ready to write it?