The God of The Comeback

“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again” (Proverbs 24:16 NIV).

Everyone loves a comeback story, don’t they? No one remembers the blowouts in games, but everyone remembers a comeback. It's impossible to forget a moment you’re down and out, but fight to come back.

You may know baseball player Trey Mancini by name, but you’ve likely never heard his whole story. Outside of being a great baseball player, in 2020, Trey was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer and faced tremendous odds against him. He underwent surgery and chemotherapy and, most importantly, trusted God. Trey returned to play in the big leagues a year later and earned American League Comeback Player of the Year. A 2021 campaign during which he re-established himself as one of the game’s best hitters after a year away battling and beating stage 3 colon cancer.

Beyond comeback stories in sports, we’re inspired to hear about folks who endured physical, emotional, or financial setbacks but refused to quit. We love to hear stories of those who persevered despite the near-impossible odds they faced.

Did you know that the Bible is full of comeback stories? Take Joseph, for example. His own brothers were jealous of him and sold Joseph into slavery as a young man for 20 pieces of silver. He was rejected by his own family and later thrown into prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Yet, Joseph kept doing the right thing, and God turned his life into a comeback story. Joseph eventually became Pharaoh’s second in command, forgave his brothers, and saw his family restored.

How about Job? He loses his wealth, land, and even his own family. Yet, he never curses God. Job held on through the storms of his life. God rewarded Job for his commitment to Him and blessed him with double what he had before.

And, of course, the most remarkable comeback story of them all: Jesus. Jesus was crucified, dead, and buried, but three days later came back to life and saved the world.

You might say, Craig, you don’t know what I’ve been through. Look, I get it; life can be challenging. When God closes one door, He opens another, but it can be hell in the hallway.

Life is full of things trying to push us down. We all face disappointments and setbacks. Maybe you received some bad news about your health, or perhaps a relationship didn’t work out. You’ve made some mistakes that are difficult to bounce back from. That was a setback. It’s easy to get discouraged, lose enthusiasm, or even be tempted to give up.

But, if we’re going to see the God of the comeback rewrite our story, we have to have a “comeback” mentality. When you get knocked down, you don’t stay down. You dust yourself off and get back up. Know that every time adversity comes against you, the God of the comeback is waiting to step into the ring and deliver the knockout blow to the enemy. We must only not give up and allow God to fight for us.

My friend Prasad, whom I met in Sri Lanka, had to do this. His father had a history of mental health issues. At six years old, Prasad watched his mom go through physical and verbal abuse. The endless fighting, no money, and watching his dad go in and out of hospitals was overwhelming. The abuse continued through Prasad’s teenage years until, ultimately, Prasad tried to take his own life. Prasad said, “It was at the lowest point in my life, where anyone couldn’t feel more helpless or hopeless, that I experienced the life-transforming power of Jesus, which changed the course of my life.” Today, Prasad holds no bitterness towards his dad. He has a beautiful wife and son. He leads the compassion ministry at a church in Sri Lanka, which helps hundreds of thousands of broken families and children with PTSD. He’s rewriting his story.

I’ve heard it said that sometimes you have to get knocked down lower than you have ever been to stand up taller than you ever were. Don't let your gifts and anointing end with you. You are facing a challenge; you are not facing defeat. Remember that. Sometimes, rejection is redirection. God is in the business of giving people fresh starts. He is the God of the comeback.

No matter what you left, all that matters now is where you go from here.

God has already arranged a comeback for every setback, a vindication for every wrong, and a new beginning for every disappointment. The comeback is always greater than the setback.

As a believer in Jesus, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives inside you. Your comeback story is about to be written. There is no challenge that is too difficult, no obstacle too large for God. No sickness, no disappointment, no person—nothing can keep you from the purpose God designed just for you. If you stay in faith, God will turn what was meant to harm you and catapult you into your God-given destiny.

Pray this: Dear God, Your Word says that though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again. I know You are rewriting my story. You are the God who will help me make a comeback to all I was created to be. Amen (So be it).

Declare this: I know that God is writing my comeback story. It will be better than I ever dreamed. No disappointments or setbacks will keep me from God's plans. My new life is just beginning.

Win for today: Watch or read about an amazing comeback story and let it inspire you today.