Jeremy Kingsley - Getting Back up When Life Knocks You Down

Copyright 2011 by Jeremy Kingsley

Published by Bethany House Publishers

11400 Hampshire Avenue South

Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

www.bethanyhouse.com

Bethany House Publishers is a division of

Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan

E-book edition created 2011

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

ISBN 978-1-4412-7078-8

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In a few cases, names and small details have been changed to protect the identity of people involved. Any resemblance to a specific real person the reader may know is purely coincidental.

Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. www.zondervan.com

Scripture quotations identified NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Author is represented by MacGregor Literary

Cover design by Christopher Tobias

Jeremy Kingsleys book encourages people to get up in faith and move on, giving practical steps for how to do that. It is a good read for anyone who has been knocked down by their own sin, by the opposition of the world, or by circumstances. I recommend it both because I know Jeremy and because I believe in his story.

Dick Lincoln
Pastor, Shandon Baptist Church
Columbia, South Carolina

I have known Jeremy Kingsley for pretty much all of his life. I always knew he would be a great leader and influencer of people. He writes from personal experience as well as from his own close relationship with God. You will be encouraged and strengthened by reading this book. Your struggles will take on a spiritual perspective that is essential to be an overcomer in this world.

Jerry Bruette
Pastor, Living Hope Church
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Practical. Genuine. Relevant. Authentic. Every pastor should encourage every person in their church to read Getting Back Up. It is filled with relevant truths all of us need to hear and apply to our lives.

Beau Eckert
Pastor, Calvary Church
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

What do you do when everything youve planned falls apart? Jeremy offers much needed perspective and encouragement to those of us attempting to live significantly for Christ in the midst of great difficulty. Read this book. Youll laugh, cry, and be inspired!

Mat Balgaard
Executive Pastor, Church of Celebration
Phoenix, Arizona

Life is difficult but God is good. If hard times have already greeted your steps in life, take courage and enjoy how God might use this book to help you rise above the situation.

Greg P. Despres
Missional Life Pastor, Cypress Bible Church
Houston, Texas

Jeremy Kingsley is one of the best communicators I know. He now extends his gifts to the written page. His life is rooted in Gods Word and full of passion. You must hear him speak and you will be blessed by his book!

Efrem Smith
Superintendent, Pacific SW Conference,
the Evangelical Covenant Church
Author, The Hip Hop Church and
Jump: Into a Life of Further and Higher

I can say Jeremy Kingsleys ministry has had a transformational impact both in the ministries Ive served in and in my own life over the last fifteen years. You will see in Getting Back Up his compelling way of communicating truth that inspires and challenges believers to want more of God in his or her life.

Todd Milby
Pastor, Summit Church
Estero, Florida

As a person who knows first hand about the most intimate inner struggles and the challenging setbacks of life I know that Getting Back Up will serve as a companion and inspiration to overcome these trying times. Through simple strategies and inspirational stories, Getting Back Up will provide comfort, incite new hope, and instruct you as to how to fulfill the special purposes God has created you for.

William Prescott
Professional Strength and Conditioning Coach,
author of Hope for Everyday

Jeremy has a knack for getting to the root of our problems when we are hit by circumstances that seem overpowering. As a trauma survivor, I found practical and fresh insights into moving on after things go bad. He points readers toward God and the bright future we all desire.

Craig DeMartino
After the Fall Ministry

Dedication

To people everywhere who feel knocked down,
may God lift you back up.

Contents

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the faculty and staff of Columbia International University for their continued support and encouragement.

I also would like to thank the Nalepa Family, the Davis Family, and the Ferren Family for sharing their stories to help and encourage others.

Last, but certainly not least, thanks to James Lund for his help in making this project possible.

Introduction

If youve ever been on the scene after a violent car crash, you know how chaotic the situation can be. There are usually three types of people who respond.

First you have the witnesses. They usually want to tell everyone about what they saw. They know the facts and provide vital details. They answer the question, What just happened?

Then there are the law enforcement officials. Their job is to interview witnesses, collect other evidence, and process the information. One of their primary tasks is to assign responsibility. Theyre trying to answer the question, Whos at fault here? The police can then write an accurate report and the insurance companies can settle claims.

Finally, there are the paramedics. They arent interested in the specifics about who did what. Their job is to find the people who need help, remove them from danger, and provide medical attentionimmediately!

We all have unexpected and devastating crises in our lives. And just like the people who respond to a vehicle accident, we must pay attention to how we respond to our moment of trouble.

Some of us seek to understand what happened. Some of us want to communicate all the facts about the situation to others. Some of us look to assign responsibility. Some of us just want help. Any one of these responses is useful, but one by itself isnt enough. We must learn to combine them all, and more, if we are to effectively resolve disasters and get back on our feet.

This book can help you do just that. It is full of practical and time-tested guidance for meeting lifes toughest challenges. No matter what catastrophe youre facing, it will help you decide how to respond in a way that provides fresh hope and strength.

Ready to stand up?

Back in the Game

A setback is a setup for a comeback.

Willie Jolley