Bounce Back

[209 words] What is the difference between people who thrive and people who decline over a long period of time? It is not that they do not get knocked down; it is that they bounce back up. Every successful person I can think of has had to come back from discouraging circumstances. That is true of people I know personally and those I read about in the Bible. As a matter of fact, many Bible characters are comeback stories. Joseph endured mistreatment from a dysfunctional family. There is probably not anyone who does not have some relative the others try not to sit next to at Christmas dinner. David bounced back from several devastating failures in his morals, leadership, and career. Elijah suffered personal criticism. Nehemiah was discouraged by harsh political, legal, and social circumstances. John  Mark was rejected by a respected Christian leader. Some people today feel marked for…