How the Mighty Fall… and Rise Again (If You Let God In)

Two weeks ago, I wrote a blog called Samson: Cut Your Own Hair. It was a raw invitation to consecrate ourselves before crisis forces our hand. It resonated because, let’s be honest, most of us know what it feels like to drift—slowly, subtly—towards something we never wanted.

Then my friend Ford Taylor reached out.

He had listened to the podcast and said, “I’ve got a story for you.” And let me tell you—what followed was not theory. It was personal, it was costly, and it was exactly what we needed to hear.

Ford was that guy: smart, successful, leading a $300 million company, the best in its industry. Everything he touched turned to gold. Until it didn’t.

What started as confidence quickly became pride. And what looked like momentum became mission drift. He ignored warnings. His team ignored him. He got caught in a cycle of needing affirmation, chasing recognition, and avoiding hard truths. Eventually, he was out. The company tanked. And so did he.

He wasn’t just in the book How the Mighty Fall—he could’ve written a chapter.

But here’s where the story turns.

Ford didn’t stay fallen. He humbled himself. He confessed to his wife. He cut his own hair—figuratively—and let God rebuild from the rubble.

Today, Ford’s not leading a $300 million company. He’s leading something far more powerful: a movement of love- and trust-based leadership that’s healing marriages, restoring companies, and discipling CEOs. He’s proof that necessary endings make room for supernatural beginnings.

Let me leave you with three takeaways from our conversation:

1. Pride doesn’t always shout. Sometimes it whispers.

You don’t have to be arrogant to drift. All it takes is a little success, a little isolation, and a refusal to let people speak truth. Be honest: who has the right to give you the “scissors” before crisis does?

2. You need bumper buddies.

Ford teaches a concept called “bumper buddies”—people you trust enough to tell the whole truth and who love you enough to call you out. They’ll point out the lettuce in your teeth… and the cracks in your character. Do you have those people?

3. Consecration is a daily decision.

Don’t wait for someone else to call you out. Don’t wait for the business to crumble or your marriage to strain. Consecrate yourself now. Cut your own hair. The kingdom needs leaders who choose humility before it’s forced on them.

So where are you today?

Somewhere between stages of success and drift? Maybe you’re living the high life… or maybe you're sitting in the rubble. Either way, God hasn’t left you. He’s ready when you are.

Pick up Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud. Revisit the last blog. Re-listen to the podcast with Ford Taylor. And maybe… bring out the scissors.

Or the baseball bat.

With you on the journey,

Andy Mason
Heaven in Business