What Do You Do When You Fall?

    One of the most untrue beliefs that many Christians cling too is that bad things should not happen to good, faithful Christians. Nothing is further from the truth. We will experience the consequences and results of a sinful world. We still experience the death of loved ones. We still experience struggles in relationships. We still experience the hurt from other’s choices. We still experience the failures of our flesh. We still experience disease and sickness from a destructive world. We are never promised we will not endure trials, but we are promised peace, strength, and comfort through Jesus. There are times we will be like David and cry out to the Lord with a hurting heart. We will have times when we will fall and need to be restored by our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
     When David proclaims in Psalm 23 that “He restores my soul”, he is referring to how a shepherd restores a sheep after they have been cast down. A ‘cast down’ sheep is one that has ended up on its back with their feet in the air, frantically trying to get up on its feet. This is a very frightening situation for the sheep. Not only are they in danger from predators who know they are easy prey, but its body is in danger of dying because as it lies there struggling, gases begin to build up in the rum en to the extremities of the body, especially the legs. A sheep cannot stay on its back for long. If it is hot, they can survive for only three hours; if it is cooler or rainy they may survive three days; but the clock is ticking. This is why a shepherd has to stay alert to his flock. They must continue to count them to make sure they are all accounted for. This is why we are told about the shepherd that leaves the 99 to go look for the one; he knows he has a cast down sheep somewhere. As the shepherd searches for their sheep, his anxiety increases because he hears the ticking in his mind. When he finds his sheep, relief flushes over his body. Now at this point, if he acted like I did when I found one of my missing children, he would turn that relief into rage as he would discipline them for their actions and for scaring their shepherd. Honorably, a good shepherd is more caring and compassionate. He understands that his sheep is scared.  He understands that the restoration process takes time. He cannot just pick up the sheep and put them on their feet. He has to rub their feet and legs to help restart their circulation. He has to hold them when they stand because they tend to be wobbly and have unsure footing. The shepherd uses encouraging words to provide comfort and discipline. He might say things such as, “When are you going to learn to stand on your own feet?”, “I’m glad I found you in time, you scared me, please don’t do this again!”
     After he restores the sheep, he then analyzes why his sheep was cast down. For some sheep, it is not a common problem. They were just resting on their side in a soft spot; they stretched or shifted their weight and accidentally rolled over on their back. However, many times it is due to one of three problems. One problem that causes a sheep to be cast down is that they tend to always look for the most soft spots. The spots that have a hollow, rounded indention in the ground.  A soft spot makes it easy for the sheep to roll over on its back. To correct this problem, the shepherd will move these sheep to another pasture where there aren’t so many ‘soft’ spots. Another problem that can cause a sheep to be cast down is that it has too much wool. Often when the fleece becomes too long, it becomes heavy with mud, manure, burs, and debris. It can become very heavy and cause the sheep to lie down and then pull them over on their backs. This solution is simple; the shepherd will sheer his sheep. The last reason why a sheep can be cast down is because they are simply fat. Their weight simply keeps them from being nimble and agile on their feet and before they know it, they are on their backs. When this happens, the shepherd will put his sheep on a diet and watch over them closely.
     When you are cast down, know that your Good Shepherd seeks you with the desire to restore your soul.  Don’t be afraid of his reprimand! He will lovingly and compassionately nurture you back onto your feet; holding you up until your footing is sure. Life in this sinful world will cause you to be cast down at times. However, it is important that you understand that if you continue to be cast down, your Good Shepherd is going to help elevate the problem. Some Christians strive for the easy, comfortable, cozy life; a life of no hardship, no need for endurance, no demand upon self-discipline. Sometimes the shepherd will move you to a different pasture where things aren’t quite so comfortable. Some Christians refuse to let go of their desires, their hopes, and their aspirations. In scripture, wool depicts the old self-life. No priest was ever allowed to wear wool when he entered the Holy of Holies.
     No matter what your reason; when you find yourself flat on your back in a fallen position, know that your Good Shepherd is there to restore you! He will not leave you helpless! He will not forsake you!

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me besides still water. He restores my soul.

Psalm 23:1-3

Information taken from the book A shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller