Arise!: How to Get Back Up When Life Has Knocked You Down. A 5-Day Plan With Jacques McNeil

Scriptures: Mark 5:41-42, Luke 17:19, Ephesians 5:14

Little Girl, I Say to You, Arise!

It is fascinating to watch young children playing sports. Inevitably, someone gets knocked down, whether intentionally or not, but like clockwork, they get back up and continue playing as if nothing happened. 

In the game of life, things happen, and we get knocked down—like losing a job, divorce, a wayward child, or a negative doctor’s report. Unfortunately, the ability to get back up becomes increasingly more difficult as time and life progress. Often, divine intervention is needed for us to get back up and into the game. 

In Mark 5, Jairus, a synagogue leader who heard of the miracles Jesus performed, pleaded with Jesus to come and heal his ailing daughter. While they moved through the crowd, Jesus was detained. Shortly after, people from Jairus’ home came and shared news that no father ever wants to receive. “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” (v.35b) 

Can you imagine how he must have felt? A convergence of disbelief, sorrow, and anger. He could have thought, “Certainly she would not have died if You would have just come when I asked.” 

The announcement of the little girl’s death did not dissuade Jesus from going to be by her side. 

People were weeping and wailing loudly when Jesus entered the home. (v.38) This included professional mourners who were compensated to lament to help comfort grieving families. Not only did his daughter’s death cost him emotionally, but it also cost him financially, as he was required to pay the mourners. 

Jesus asked, “Why are you making so much noise and crying? The child isn’t dead. She’s just sleeping.” (v.39) 

Many Bible commentators agree that Jesus questioned their mourning because it signaled a lack of faith. As a result, He ejected them from the home to pave the way for a miracle. 

Before we can rise again, we may need to follow Jesus’ example and eliminate the naysayers in our circle. 

In a space where a miracle is about to take place, fear, doubt, negative self-talk, murmuring, and complaining, whether from ourselves or others, cannot dwell simultaneously. 

For Jairus and his family, Hope had arrived, and His name was Jesus! When Jesus went into the room where his daughter was, “Jesus took her by the hand and said “Talitha cumi`!” which means “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 

Today, I hear the Lord saying, “Even though I didn’t come when you initially called, [Enter your name], I say to you, arise.” The things you have experienced do not define you, nor do they have the power to hinder or abort what I placed within you, so ARISE. 

My friend, I am personally inviting you to join me on a journey through this series over the next four days. Together, let’s explore how our expectations, encouragement, courage, and forgiveness can arise when life has knocked you down. 

Declaration: I declare that despite being knocked down by circumstances, today I am arising and shining, for the glory and brilliance of the Lord has risen upon me, in Jesus’ name. (Isaiah 60:1) 

Scriptures: Psalms 5:3, Isaiah 55:10-11, Romans 8:19

Expectation, Arise!

“Expectation is the root of all heartache.” ~William Shakespeare 

There was a time in my life when I lived by this quote. I am a planner by nature, and while in college I carefully crafted my life plan, and I was ready to move and groove. However, shortly after graduation I experienced one setback after another. I questioned if my expectations were unrealistic or if I had done something wrong. 

I majored in finance in undergrad, so I will admit my concept of life inside and outside of the classroom was formula based. Certainly, if I crossed my “T’s” and dotted my “I’s” life would flow according to my plan. 

I was rudely awakened to the error of my ways as absolutely nothing was going as I had planned. I continued praying and attending church regularly, but deep in my heart cynicism was attempting to arise. 

I felt like my expectation was the culprit, so if I no longer had any expectations, then my chances for heartache would be diminished. Honestly speaking, this mindset persisted for quite a while. I prayed and believed for others, but in my heart of hearts, I was deeply overwhelmed with sadness and disappointment. I felt like things would never change for me. 

Years later, I began to see a shift in both my mindset and my life. Early one morning during my prayer time I sat quietly meditating on the Word. Out of nowhere I heard a noise outside my window that startled me. I could not see anything, so I immediately got up. My view was obstructed by a wall, so I stood on my tiptoes, hoping to get a glimpse of what I heard. 

I was never able to see anything, but that morning I clearly heard the Lord say, “I have heard your requests and this is the position that I need you to remain in – on your tiptoes, as you expectantly wait for the manifestation of what I have promised.” That day it was unmistakable that my expectations needed to rise to a new level. 

Picture a young child whose parents promised to bring them a treat, and they are eagerly awaiting their return from work. Standing on their tiptoes by the window, they anxiously scan for the familiar sight of their car, barely able to contain their excitement as they anticipate what’s to come, 

Psalm 40:1 (TPT) says, “I waited and waited and waited some more, patiently, knowing God would come through for me. Then, at last, He bent down and listened to my cry.”

My friend, I hear the Lord saying to you, “Now is the time for your expectation to arise. I need you to be positioned on your tiptoes, expectantly waiting for My promises to manifest in your life. For they SHALL come to pass.” 

Remember, a delay does not equate to a denial. During periods of delay, the Lord is at times reshaping our hearts and desires. Everything in my plan did not magically appear, however the detours I encountered have taken me on a journey I could have never imagined. Allow me to encourage you to be open to the Lord exceeding your expectations. 

As you position yourself on your tiptoes, I believe a spirit of expectation will arise in your life. This will not only reveal another dimension of who He is, but it will also enable you to be and have an even greater testimony. 

Expect Him to do the impossible! 

Expect Him to perform a miracle! 

Expect Him to be true to His Word! 

Declaration: Today I declare that the Lord will do remarkable things in my life. (Ps. 126:2b) Even though I have sown in tears, I will reap with joyful singing. (Ps. 126:5) I will remain confident that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Ps. 27:13) 

Scriptures: Isaiah 41:10, 1 Samuel 30:6, Hebrews 10:24-25

Encouragement, Arise!

Has this been a rough season for you? Have you been surrounded by change and uncertainty? Have you experienced feelings of loneliness, exhaustion, and being stretched thin while facing adversity? If so, you are not alone. I distinctly recall feeling the same way – uncertain about what to do and whether things would ever improve. 

One day as I was driving home from an event, feeling sad and overwhelmed, a message on a billboard captured my attention. The message simply stated, “You have more power than you think!” 

Just seeing that caused everything in me to arise and be awakened. The weight of my thoughts and feelings that had consumed me, immediately dissipated. As I ruminated on the words on that billboard, it reminded me of who I was. 

With tears streaming down my face, I lifted my voice and began to worship the Lord for His goodness, His lovingkindness, and His faithfulness. 

Like David in Psalm 34:1-4, I declared, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. “

As I worshiped and declared the Word of God over my situation, my friend, encouragement arose. My perspective about my life, challenges, delays, and setbacks completely shifted. A few of the scriptures that flooded my mind were: 

• Psalm 31:15(NKJV) “My times are in His hands.”
• Philippians 1:6 (AMP) “I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].”

In your current situation, you might be feeling down, wondering if things will ever get better. You have contemplated giving up because things seem to be deteriorating rather than improving. 

My friend, I hope I’ve inspired you to choose to worship the Lord during those times when you feel sad and overwhelmed. Our praise and worship can truly transform our surroundings – it did for me. Remember the power you hold to arise and encourage yourself. Your words carry weight, and when you speak the Word of God aloud, it affects not only you but also the environment around you. 

As the spirit of encouragement arises in you, embrace it, and continue encouraging yourself. “You have more power than you think!” 

Your words are filled with life, hope, strength, and people are waiting for you to release them into their lives as well. 

Declaration: Today I declare I will believe what the Word of God says about me. It says… 

• I am forgiven (I John 1:9; Ephesians 1:7) 
• I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37; Deuteronomy 20:4) 
• I can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13) 
• I am accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6) 
• I am a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) 
• I am not alone (Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 54:10) 
• I am healed (I Peter 2:24; Psalm 103:3) 
• I am bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1b) 
• I am chosen (John 15:16; Ephesians 1:4) 
• I am God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10) 

Scriptures: Psalms 56:3, Isaiah 54:4, Psalms 27:1-2

Courage, Arise!

Fear is a natural part of our human experience and daily we are bombarded with stories, and images that could leave us immobilized and afraid to leave home. 

We are constantly faced with the choice to allow fear to consume us or to feel the fear and take action anyway. 

The fear/faith paradox came alive for me and our daughter one morning at 2 a.m. Our daughter, who was about three years old at the time, was afraid to go to the bathroom alone. What’s interesting about this story is she walked past the bathroom to come to our bedroom to announce she was afraid to go to the bathroom. 

As she came into our bedroom, I was immediately awakened. I asked if everything was ok? She was in tears and kept repeating that she was afraid to go to the bathroom alone. 

To provide a little context, she attended a Christian daycare, and they taught the children scripture through songs. A song/scripture that she recently learned was, “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” We sang it in the car when I picked her up and throughout our home. 

Faith and courage are contagious, and so are fear and anxiety. Though it was early in the morning, I saw it as a chance to teach her how to apply the scripture we had been singing. I believed this would position her for courage to arise, that night as well as in the future. 

I immediately began encouraging her and then I said, let’s sing, “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” I said, “baby girl, you can do this” and we continued singing. Slowly she turned around and she began to take baby steps, as she sang with tears streaming down her cheeks. With each step as she approached the bathroom, I could hear fear dissipating. 

A few minutes later, she came back into our room, fully empowered. She jumped in the air, threw her fist up and said, “Yes, I did it!” 

In the words of Nelson Mandela, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” 

That day she triumphed over fear. To date, she was never afraid to go to the bathroom alone. 

I am certain the things you are facing are not as elementary, but the principles are the same, regardless of your age. 

Pause for a moment and pinpoint one area where fear has a hold on you. Whether it’s a fear of failure, heights, or public speaking, I want to challenge your perspective on it and on yourself. 

As you take one baby step toward the thing you fear, try singing or declaring the scriptures, such as: 

• Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
• Psalm 118:6 (NLT) “The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

My friend, you can do this! With each step forward, watch fear disperse, and courage arise! 

Declaration: I declare that from this day forward, fear will no longer hinder, frustrate, or immobilize me. I will triumph over it! I am filled with incredible courage because the Lord is by my side, promising His help. 

Scriptures: Ephesians 4:32, 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, Matthew 18:21-22

Forgiveness, Arise!

Are you struggling to forgive a parent, spouse, best friend, or colleague who did the unthinkable, and it totally knocked you off your feet? Perhaps they betrayed your trust, spread a lie about you, were physically or emotionally abusive; or they abandoned you and your children, when they promised, “Til death do we part.” 

If you answered yes to one or all these questions, please know you are not alone. 

I, too, have personally struggled to forgive those who hurt me deeply. 

Their actions left me completely incredulous. There were occasions when I had sleepless nights, and my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of what had happened and how I should have responded. 

My friend, the door of unforgiveness was thrust wide open, and anger, resentment, sadness, bitterness, and depression invited themselves in and tried to make themselves at home. 

This was not ok. I knew better. I understood the concept of forgiveness, but having to put it into practice was by far one of the most difficult things I have had to do. 

Amid the overwhelming pain, I was reminded of two powerful scriptures: 

• Colossians 3:13 (NLT) “Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
• Luke 6:27-28 (TPT) “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies and do something wonderful for them in return for their hatred. When someone curses you, bless that person in return. When others mistreat and harass you, accept it as your mission to pray for them.”

At that point I cried out to the Lord and repented for my feelings that did not align with His word. I was also honest about my feelings, and the fact that what they did was not right. It was evident that I did not have the strength or capacity to do this on my own. I needed His help so that forgiveness could arise. 

I prayed a simple prayer and asked the Lord to soften my heart, strengthen me and help me. And guess what, He answered my prayer. He softened my heart, strengthened me, and helped me to begin the forgiveness process. 

Forgiveness can arise when you acknowledge what the person did to hurt you. It is like the first step when driving a car. You must turn the key to start the ignition. 

My friend, please do not delay extending forgiveness to those who have offended you. 

Begin the process with these simple steps. Pray… 

1.“Lord, _________hurt me deeply, and I need your help to forgive them.” 

2.“Lord, I release __________ by faith.” 

3.“Lord, Luke 6:28b says, “When others mistreat and harass you, accept it as your mission to pray for them.” Today, I choose to accept this as my mission to pray for ____________. They are your son/daughter, and I pray for their salvation and deliverance in Jesus Name. 

Declaration: I declare that I am no longer held captive by feelings of unforgiveness, resentment, anger, and bitterness. I am a new creation in Christ, empowered by God’s grace to fully forgive those who have wronged me. Today, I proclaim that forgiveness arises within me, in the name of Jesus.