Thump and Fall

Our breakfast nook has three floor-to-ceiling windows; I enjoy viewing God’s nature as I work in the kitchen, but the glass panes are tempting and hazardous to birdlife. They often fly into a window, and when Scout hears a thump, our playful dog wanting a playmate suddenly overtakes the stunned birds.

Too often, people give Satan credit for life’s crashes when what happens is sometimes their fault. But he’s watching, and when he sees someone stunned by a fall, he doesn’t play as Scout does with a fallen bird. His goal is to steal believers’ joy, kill their testimonies, and destroy their reputations. Painful results often follow regardless of who (or what) causes life-thumps, and repentance is often the answer for restoring broken hearts, spirits, and families.

Paul wrote: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

In Galatians 5:24, Paul says those who are Christ’s have crucified the works of the flesh (vs. 19–21). But if not vigilant, urging passions and temptations can reemerge, suddenly and sometimes by surprise, overtaking Christ-followers. The apostle calls on believers planted firmly in the Word and living rightly with God to help those taken in a fault—they sinned, unintentionally or willfully. He IS NOT referring to people who deliberately practice sinning; genuine Christians do not. The restoring Paul says to do, like resetting a dislocated bone, may be uncomfortable, even painful, but needful for healing. Still, the restorers are to act in kindness and forgiveness, not arrogance or judgment.

Our little feathered friends sometimes shake their heads, come to their senses, ruffle their feathers and fry away. Other times they don’t. Suppose you hear a thump and find someone fallen and not getting back on the right path. In that case, minister to their needs as God leads, considering everyone, including yourself, is susceptible to sudden temptation. One day you may be the one needing sympathetic restoration—no one is beyond missing God’s mark of perfection.