No one likes to lose and no one should lose intentionally or
give less than their best in any struggle. Nevertheless, when one suffers a
great loss, yet remains in possession of one’s life and faculties, options are
at hand. One can either respond in defeat and submission “checking out early”
or, one can gather one’s wits recognizing, as I did after failing in a major
pursuit, “THAT WAS REALLY PAINFUL! But, I’m not dead!” That is the time to
march forward, realizing that while a vulnerability has been exposed, strength
and resilience have also been realized!
Those attributes, fortified with courage, can create a powerful dynamism
that enables the determined individual to take on challenges that might be
avoided by those burdened with an “undefeated” record.
While everyone loves a winner and we all marvel at those who
proceed throughout life with unscarred bodies, unbroken dreams and spotless
records, do not despise the lessons of the “School of Hard Knocks,” the scars of
your past or the “L’s” on your record. Allow
the lessons of disappointment to grow you in humility, deepen you in compassion,
and fortify you in resolve to continue in fighting the good fight in the arena
in which you have been placed. As the great Rocky Balboa is reported to have
said, “It ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and
keep moving forward, how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how
winning is done.”
The Scripture calls those who follow the Lord to remember
that “God works all things together for the good for those who love Him and are
called according to His purpose.” That doesn’t mean everything that happens is
good, but that even the bad can be worked into our lives for the overall good
when we love God and walk in faith and trust. Because of that truth, we do not
lose heart. So, take heart! There are
victories yet to be won!
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