I was talking with someone last week about a struggle they were working through. They had done something seemingly innocent, but when they searched their heart, their motive wasn’t. In the past, this person would have sat in their shame which would lead to a bad decision and a destructive cycle. In that moment, the wisdom of the Lord came and I said, “God is teaching you how to stumble so that you don’t fall.” Whoa…Whoa, what? Teaching us to stumble? Yes, teaching us to stumble. You see the Word says, you will stumble, but you will not fall. So, why is learning to stumble important? It isn’t about the stumble; it is about how we handle the stumble. Do we get up, repent (truly repent), receive our forgiveness and accept that Jesus died for that sin? Or do we wallow in making another mistake, filling ourselves with shame (and a bowl of ice cream) thinking we are nothing new, just the same old sinner? How we handle the stumbles will determine if there will be a fall. So, praise God, He will teach us how to stumble so that we don’t have to fall.
though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. – Psalm 37:24
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
So, given the opportunity of a stumble, will you choose to follow the Word, that you are forgiven and have been made new? Or will you follow the path that you are the same old sinner so what’s the point and walk straight to the nearest ledge?
Which Voice Will You Follow? 