Has 2020 Knocked You Down?

Rise Up and Stand Firm

Scripture References

Primary text

• James 1

Other references

• 1 Corinthians 15:19
• 1 John 5
• John 5
• John 6
• John 7
• John 8

Overview

2020 has piled crisis upon crisis, yet Peter’s letter—and Amy Groeschel’s testimony—call believers to “rise up and stand firm.” We rejoice not because the circumstances are good but because our living hope in Jesus can never be taken. Trials refine faith, produce perseverance, and anchor us to an eternal perspective. Whatever storm still rages, God’s grace equips His people to endure, mature, and glorify Him.

Main Points

Rejoice in a living hope

• Peter opens with praise before addressing pain; joy is a deliberate act, not a feeling.
• Rejoicing focuses on Christ’s mercy, new birth, and imperishable inheritance, not on current comfort.
• Story: When Craig texted Amy mid-flight about possible COVID exposure, fear flooded her mind—quarantine, sickness, even death. She chose to journal thanksgiving for what she knew of God rather than spiral in “what-ifs.”

• “We have to inform the pain of our feelings about what our faith knows absolutely is true.”

Trials are not wasted

• Verse 7 of Peter’s passage (and James 1) stresses purpose: testing proves the genuineness of faith, more valuable than gold.
• James calls believers to “consider it pure joy” because trials produce perseverance and maturity.
• Illustration: Gold only gains purity by passing through fire; likewise, God refines believers through hardship.

Keep an eternal perspective

• Peter references Christ’s future revelation again and again—Amy counted 16 times in the short letter.
• Life is “a vapor,” yet faith and God’s word endure forever; praise, glory, and honor erupt fully when Jesus returns.
• Job’s example: After catastrophic loss he worshiped and said, “Naked I came… Blessed be the name of the Lord.” His book shows the issue was never prosperity but the integrity of faith.
• Paul echoes this view: living is Christ, dying is gain (1 Corinthians 15:19).

A tested faith overcomes

• First John 5 calls faith “the victory that has overcome the world.”
• Amy’s two-week quarantine felt like years, yet God used loneliness to deepen empathy for shut-ins, the chronically ill, and the grieving.
• She distilled two take-aways:
  • the church must truly love one another
  • everyone desperately needs to know the love of God.
• Tested faith becomes persevering, purified, strengthened, and God-glorifying.

Rise up and stand firm

• “Rise up and stand firm.” (repeated refrain)

• Make a conscious stand: commit your situation to God, resist the evil one, let your light shine, stay ready to love and obey.
• Declared invitation:

  “Say this: I was made for this.”

• Peter’s own purpose statement (1 Peter 5:12) drives the message: “This is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.”

Key Truths

• Joy is a chosen action rooted in salvation, not a reaction to circumstances.
• God never wastes pain; every trial refines and proves authentic faith.
• An eternal perspective—seeing beyond the vapor of this life—fuels perseverance.
• Tested faith grows stronger, purer, and more useful for God’s glory.
• Believers were “made for this” moment; by grace they can rise up and stand firm.

Response

• Choose to praise God for who He is, even when feelings lag behind.
• Journal or speak aloud truths that overrule fearful “what-ifs.”
• View current hardships as God’s refining fire rather than random misfortune.
• Anchor daily decisions to eternity rather than temporary comfort.
• Encourage someone suffering in isolation with tangible love and empathy.
• Declare, “I was made for this in Christ,” whenever trials press in.

Closing

Amy’s quarantine illustrated the letter of First Peter: storms come, but faith stands. Craig concluded by inviting all who are burdened to lift their hands and trust God’s strength, and he led seekers in surrender to Christ.

“Help us to rise up and stand firm, placing all of our faith in Your goodness.”

Prayer

Craig prayed for the hurting—asking God to heal, comfort, perform miracles, and deepen dependence—then led a salvation prayer for those choosing to follow Jesus.