When I was a little girl, my dad taught me to ride a bike. I felt so secure when he was holding the back of my seat. Over time, I learned to balance myself, and eventually, he let me go. One afternoon, I realized I was riding on my own when I looked back and saw my daddy standing still, waving at me.

Even though I felt proud, I got nervous. When I noticed that I was headed toward a pole, instead of squeezing the brakes on the handle bars of my sister’s pink and gray bicycle, I panicked and slammed right into that wooden pole. I went flying off the bike, and I don’t know if my knee or my ego was more bruised. My father rushed toward me to comfort and reassure me and encourage me to get back on the bike.

Even though I only sustained a few minor scrapes and bruises that healed relatively fast, I was mentally scarred by that moment, and I was scared to ride the bike again.

In life, when we have a negative experience, fear is our natural emotional response. It’s normal to feel nervous about the potential for something bad to happen again. The greater the trauma, the deeper the fear can be. But 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

The word fear that Paul uses in this Scripture is the Greek word “deilias,” which means cowardice, timidity, or intimidation. So then, God has not given us the spirit of intimidation despite how intimidating the circumstances may be. His power equips us to be bold and confident and do everything we are called to do. We may feel fear, which is an emotion, but we are controlled by God’s spirt, not our feelings.

Perhaps you have fallen lately. Fallen ill. Fallen on hard times. Fallen into a fiery furnace of affliction. Don’t be intimidated. Know that God is able to lift you up. Proverbs 24:16 says, “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again…”

Listen, you will bounce back because the Lord is on your side.

I have had some hard falls in my life, and every time, God lifted me up with His mighty hand, and He will do the same for you. If you are in the valley, there is yet hope for you. As long as God reigns on the throne, which is forever and ever, He has power over your circumstances. He is in control, and He has a plan.

You will rise again. You will thrive again. You will see God do great things for you again. You won’t stay down. You will bounce back in your health. In your finances. In your career. In your emotions. In your ministry. In the things that God has called you to. All is not lost, and this setback is temporary.

To remind you of this truth, I’m stirring Psalm 37:24 GNT into your cup of inspiration, which says, “If they fall, they will not stay down, because the LORD will help them up.”

Lean on the Lord who is always ready, willing, and more than able to help you.

Now, let’s pray.

God, thank You for reminding me that this valley cannot hold me forever, for You have a plan to lift me up. Please help me not to be intimidated or worried in seasons when I fall into a fiery furnace of affliction, because You are with me, and You are more than able to deliver me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Get more inspiration from Dianna Hobbs weekdays, Monday through Friday, right here on Your Daily Cup of Inspiration. Be sure to catch up on encouragement that you missed, and if you need prayer, don’t hesitate to ask for it here. The ministry team is standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, to intercede. Until next time, stay encouraged.