I grew up in the intense winters of Minnesota, where the wind never stops, and the temperatures always drop and snow endlessly accumulates. As true Minnesotans, our church congregations would fully embrace this season with an annual winter social at the Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch. These spectacular and uplifting events would take place on a particular cold and snowy Sabbath, where we would have services and follow it with fellowship, food, games, sleigh rides and snow tubing after sundown.

As a teenager, the best part of the evening was the snow tubing! It doesn't get much better than running and jumping into a triumphant slide down an icy hill with the combination of adrenaline and snow flying at your face. One year, I was enjoying the fun of snow tubing with my church family, when all of the sudden everything went black. The next thing I knew I was sitting in a hospital with a doctor shining a light in my eye and asking me strange questions about myself.

I would soon find out that I had been in a tubing accident. Apparently I had gone down the hill for an average run, when another tuber flew down the hill with their back to where I was standing. Unaware and with my back  turned, I was hit in the back of my legs and I smashed my head on the ice, instantly blacking out and suffering a concussion.

Believe it or not, this is not the climax of the story. It is what took place next. My brother saw what had happened and came running to my aid. He picked up and carried my feeble body up the huge hill and into the building where we had met for services. I was immediately checked over by a member who happened to be a doctor, and I was anointed by our minister.

There were many lessons to be learned and signs of God’s provision for me in my accident on the slope that day. Perhaps the most precious example, however—and the memory that has stuck with me the most—is that of my older brother. He immediately and compassionately cared for me when I was unable to do anything for myself.

In this life, accidents will happen and our elder brother Jesus Christ is always ready to catch us when we fall. He has the power and strength to carry us up the hills and challenges of our life, as we are simply not able to survive on our own. Before Peter began to walk on water towards Christ, He said to him, “‘Don’t be afraid’ … ‘Take courage. I am here!’” (Matthew 14:27, NLT). He upheld His promise and immediately reached out, saving Peter when he began to sink while walking out toward Jesus.

Never forget that we can be confident in Christ, our elder brother, who will pick us up and carry us when we fall.