Knocked Down Nine Times. Get Up Ten.

How does a man get knocked down nine times and get back up ten?

I'll tell you how.

I didn't give up.

The short version

You can't break my will.

You can't break my spirit.

You might get me down a little bit.

But I ain't never gonna be out.

Where it comes from

That's my pedigree.

That's my DNA.

That's who my daddy taught me to be.

That's who his daddy taught him to be.

Life is going to knock you down. The Bible tells you that.

You don't have to stay down.

God is not looking for a weak man

God doesn't call the equipped. He equips the chosen.

If you're scared, you have to get past that.

Moses gave God every excuse in the book. He said he couldn't speak. God sent Aaron with him, and Moses went. (Exodus 4)

Joseph

Joseph's own brothers threw him in a pit.

He got sold into slavery.

He went to prison for something he didn't do.

Those of you that have been locked up know it's a scary place. I've been there.

Joseph kept his integrity anyway. He kept going when he couldn't see what was in front of him.

Years later he told those same brothers, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good." (Genesis 50:20)

Do right when it's hard

Pray. Get right with God. Ask Him to lead you down the path you already know you're supposed to go down.

Then go. Boldly. With conviction. With a spine.

Because if you do what's right even when it's hard, it's not hard to do what's right when it's easy.

What I said (RYAN STATEMENT)

From the video, in my own words:

• "How does he get knocked down nine times and get back up ten?"
• "That's my pedigree. That's my DNA. That's who my daddy taught me to be."
• "God doesn't call the equipped. He equips the chosen."
• "If you do what's right even when it's hard, it's not hard to do what's right when it's easy."

Your turn

What knocked you down this year, and what got you back up? Tell me in the comments.

Want me to come talk?

Churches, schools, veterans groups, and businesses. If you want me to come speak about faith, service, and rebuilding, call or text me at (903) 500-8898.

Knocked down nine. Get up ten.