Get Back Up!
Did you know that when a giraffe is born, he tumbles from five to ten feet to the ground, landing on his back? According to Gary Richmond, author of A View from the Zoo, within seconds, the baby giraffe rolls over and stands, struggling with those long, untried legs. In the wild, the mother positions herself directly over her newborn, swings her leg outward and kicks the baby, sending it sprawling! If it doesn't get up, she kicks it again. If it grows tired, she kicks it again to stimulate its efforts to stand. Each time the baby giraffe manages to get to its feet, the mother kicks it once again.

Admittedly, this behavior sounds cruel, but there is a good reason for it. The mother works diligently to prepare the baby for survival. The little giraffe must learn to get up quickly and run with the herd when danger comes--otherwise he will not survive!

There is a lesson to learn here for Christians. We must learn the same lesson that baby giraffes do: when life kicks you down, you must get back up! When you've been dropped on your back (so to speak), giving up is not an option. Lying there feeling sorry for yourself is not acceptable. Our spiritual survival depends upon our ability to persevere. Our Lord Himself said - "You will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved" (Matt. 10:22). Also, in Revelation 2:10, He declared - "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." Paul wrote in II Timothy 2:3 - "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." James 5:11 reads - "Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful."

At first glance, it doesn't seem to make much sense for the mother giraffe to kick its baby. However, there is a good reason for it. Likewise, at first glance, it may not seem reasonable to us for God to allow us to suffer in certain ways and endure various trials, but He has reasons beyond our understanding (cf. Isa. 55:8,9). He loves us and wants what is best for us (cf. Rom. 8:28). We must trust Him completely and refuse to quit. We must keep getting back up (don't ever forget about Job)!

Friends, when things go wrong, Satan would love nothing better than for you to throw in the towel and give up your faith. He wants you to forsake the church and turn your back on Christ. That's his aim--to get you to quit short of the goal of salvation. He wants you to become so frustrated and discouraged that you'll give up. When the circumstances of life knock you down, refuse to quit--get back up! God's word will endure forever--will you? "Blessed is the man who endures trials; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him" (James 1:12).