After a fairly successful coaching career over the past 20 years in youth sports, I find myself with my greatest task to date. After a couple of coaches bailed, I have volunteered to help a developmental baseball team at the 13-15 year old level. Unfortunately, every opponent so far has been much more advanced, leading to lop-sided results. Thus, at this point all I can do is encourage the players to keep their heads held high.
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin, 1 Peter 4:1.
You don’t have to play sports to experienced being smeared or creamed. Depending upon who you are, what you do or where you work, its not uncommon to come in contact with far superior individuals. If these people carry an attitude, ego or pride, its easy to feel helpless, overwhelmed and unqualified. Yet, even if you’re staring failure in the face, its essential to keep your head held high, knowing you gave your best effort.
As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God, 1 Peter 4:2.
The latter is the most crucial element in times of failure. Knowing you are beaten is one thing. However, the moment you give up mentally, its not worth even competing anymore. Sure, human nature will tempt those who have gotten use to losing. Nonetheless, those who cling to perseverance will be rewarded in the end. You might not see progress right away, but the Lord will honor and lift up those who keep their head held high.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 