THE BACK-UP PLAN – What’s Yours?

The Back-Up Plan

Following Jesus From the Edges

Pastor Calvin Cook

April 10, 2026

1 Peter 5:8–9 – “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”

James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

I keep thinking about the followers of Jesus immediately following the arrest of Jesus. Scripture says, “they ran”. After finding the tomb empty according to the Gospel of John scripture says, “they returned home”. In one of the post resurrection appearances of Jesus at the lake shore the Disciples returned to fishing to what they knew best. And the many references to Jesus showing up and the Disciples and other followers not recognizing Him.

So what about us when the situations of life seem to overwhelm. Certainly, these followers of Jesus were overwhelmed by grief, but what about the things that right now are overwhelming us. Where do we turn what do we do.

There are seasons in life when we feel completely stuck. In the feeling of not knowing or understanding what happens and the season of what is next. We feel hopeless, as if something has taken all our strength and we seem to have no clear direction. In these times we make bad decisions, fall deep into despair and seek to know our next steps.

Sometimes we are people who live by the “next step.” We keep moving forward, trusting God to guide us one step at a time. But what happens when we feel immobilized—when it seems like there is no next step available at all?

In those moments we must remember a simple but powerful truth: there are always two spiritual forces present—God and the enemy. One calls us upward toward life. The other tries to drag us downward into despair.

Scripture reminds us that the enemy seeks to pull us into darkness. 1 Peter 5:8 warns that the devil prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. But the good news is that God never abandons us in that wilderness.

Even Jesus experienced this moment.

Reflect upon the agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, the trial, even His words from the cross. For most when the words “it is finished” we think ending, over, no better way.

From Jesus and His examples and teaching we can find a back-up plan for any situation when we feel stuck.

Step 1 – Refuse the downward pull.

When despair whispers, don’t follow it. Psalm 40:2 says God lifts us “out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire.” The first step is simply deciding not to be dragged deeper.

Step 2 – Stand on God’s Word.

Every time the enemy tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus responded with Scripture: “It is written…” When we feel immobilized, God’s Word gives us footing again.

Step 3 – Submit to God.

James 4:7 reminds us that when we submit ourselves to God and resist the devil, the enemy must flee. Surrender to God is not weakness—it is spiritual authority.

Step 4 – Take the smallest faithful step.

Sometimes the next step isn’t big. It might be prayer. A phone call. A conversation. Opening the Bible. But movement toward God always breaks the evil that is gripping us.

In life we sometimes find ourselves at what feels like a dead end. But with God there is always another road, another turn, another way forward.

When everything feels lost, remember this:

The back-up plan is not another strategy. The back-up plan is turning back to God.

And with God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit there is always a next step.

Here is a prayer I often find my self praying:

Lord, when I feel stuck and overwhelmed, keep me from the pull of darkness. Help me stand on Your Word, resist the enemy, and take the next step of faith You place before me. Amen.