Losing Builds Character, right?
My oldest son had a big football game a week ago. Winning would mean playoff’s and conference champs. Our league has not won conference for over 5 years. My oldest wanted it so bad he could taste it. This was discussed all week along, he made sure he practiced; he was nervous.
But they lost. They played hard and the team gave it their best shot but the other team was just a little bit better.
As a Mom I prayed that my son’s team would win, I wanted him to know what it felt like to be on top. I don’t care for football, but because it was so important to him, it was important to me. And when they lost my heart broke.
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When my son came home after the game there was tears and questions why?
Why, when we gave it our best we didn’t win?
Why, when we had the home advantage did we not win?
Why do other teams seem to always win but not us?
Why, indeed.
How many times while living the Christian life you feel like you are giving your all, but all you come up against are obstacles that keep knocking you down? Why when you try to do your best, your best sometimes does not seem good enough? And why do others always seem to win?
Christ warned us this would be true in our Christian walk:
“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” (Luke 9:24).
“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27)
The first passages tells us in order to gain our life we need to lose it. Basically it is telling us that to grow into Christ, to become his disciples, be expected to pay a price. Just like my son being with his teammates day in and day out, they are growing and developing. There is comfort in a group. They are becoming a stronger football team. But even if that is the case there will be pain, there will still be disappointments, there will still be losses. This is true for the Christian life also, there still is a cross to bear. We can stomp or feet and say it is not fair. Or we can use our cross to bring glory to his name.
His is glorified through our weakness.
Heavenly Father, thank you for being there in our success and in our losses. If I have to admit it, I believe I have learned more about you through my losses. I learned of your faithfulness, I relied on you always being there, and I based my life on your truth. You told us in your word, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Cor 4:7-9) Thank you Lord for these lessons and may we take the one thing that knocks us down and turn it around to bring glory to your name. Amen
Great post! Such a powerful lesson, but so very hard to learn! ….and even harder to watch your children learn, I’m sure!
Thanks for this reminder, Laurel. Just this morning I was literally crying and stomping my feet yet again and asking God why.
I’m trying to write a loving birthday post for my 24 year old son – my prodigal son. As I’ve gone through his photo album to choose some pictures to use – pictures like the day we had his dedication service at church as a baby and the day he was baptized years later – I look and I find myself struggling with the same issue I’ve struggled with for 5 years now. “Why God, we did the best we could. The other two are serving you, why is his life so messed up?” I can’t even find the words to put into this post because my heart is so broken over bad choices he has made.
The verses you have used have brought me comfort. I know it’s his choice to live as he is. He’s responsible for which cross he chooses to carry. I know He belongs to the Lord and I know what he’s going through right now is from the Lord, but it hurts none the less. He’s building character in me and my family, and working on drawing my son back to the fold.
Thanks, Laurel. I’ll get my son’s tribute post up after the Lord and I have some more time together.
Laurel,
His is glorified through our weakness… Amen.
I LOVE this prayer. Thank you and I just want to give that kid a hug. ((((kid))))) Love you girl. Lynn
Laurel, I really appreciated your devotional. With the push of our society to be “the best,” it’s not easy to remember that Christ does work through our weaknesses and that success, in God’s eyes, is different than how the world views success.
Blessings,
Wanita
So true. I always see myself getting stronger in my weaknesses. Because I lean on God. I should really do that every day not just when I am down. It is very hard to do but, getting better with time.
BIG ((((HUGS)))) to your son. But,,,,, there is always next year.
This is a tough lesson to learn sometimes but your illustration is so beautiful. Thank you for the wonderful lesson. I’m sorry your son’s team lost but it is so cool that you were able to use this example to uplift so many of us 🙂 So hugs to your son and you.
This is a hard lesson. Thank you for sharing it with the story of your son’s team. It is hard to lose and causes so many questions.
Losing depends on your perspective. *smile* Remember to pray always. Blessings, -me- (Mommy of two little blessings)
Bless you sweetie.
Thank you for this beautiful picture of His strength in our moments of weakness. He does not always give me what I want but He does always give me what I need.
My 23 year old son is trying to get on as a policeman. He has tried and tried, but feels so bad when he dosn’t get on. You really have to keep trying and sooo many people are applying too. It is hard to watch him go through this, but we are both learning to trust God more.
You are absolutely right, Laurel. Yes, our losses are sometimes not easy to swallow, but I know (from my own experience) that God has used my losses to make me stronger in my faith…
I am sorry that your son’s team loose the game. I do think though that their time with come 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with us.
Great lesson to learn! For me, it’s when I am weak, He is strong. There can be disappointments but I’d rather be in God’s will than not. You are wise; and you’re teaching your son lessons too.