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The Luxury of Defeat

copyright Millie Plastaras 11/9/08

 

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery

trial which is to try you, as though some strange

thing has happened to you!

But REJOICE, inasmuch as you are partakers

of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory may

be revealed you will be glad also with exceeding joy.

1 Peter 4:12-13

 

In each of our lives some rain must fall.

No one is immune to trials, tribulations,

death, disease, and hard times.  But there

is a dramatic difference in how we see people

cope with these issues.

 

I think that those that always win, or always

seem to be lucky and have everything go right,

soon feel they can do nothing wrong.  That life

is all about them, and they soon believe somehow

that makes them better.  They take it for granted,

not realizing each victory and good thing is a blessing

and a GIFT!

 

Defeat can be a good thing.  When we lose

we have the luxury of seeing what we did wrong,

how to fix it, and it can give us the courage to get up

and try, try again.

 

When we win, we go on to the next thing, without

a glance back, often not looking at our mistakes and

altering our course or goals for the better.

 

Defeat brings about reflection, and this can be used

for the good.

 

Attitude is the key.  Truly, you and I and everyone

you know will face something we don't want to.

We can face it as a victor or a victim.  We can let

it forever defeat us, or we can pick ourselves up,

learn from it, become stronger, more sympathetic

with others going through similar things, and we

can change our course.

 

The trials of life are the reflective, and growth times

that define and strengthen our character.  And

when we are too weak to go on, Christ will hold us

until we are prepared to do so.  Our sufficiency

and strength comes from time spent in prayer

releasing our burdens and cares to Him, and waiting

for that still small voice to guide us and lead us the

next step. 

 

And He said to me, MY grace is sufficent for you, for MY strength

is made perfect in (your) weakness.  Therefore most gladly will I boast

in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs,

in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake.  For when I am weak,

THEN HE IS STRONG.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

 

If you don't have that quiet time with Him, you will

hardly be able to hear his voice.  And your course of

life will suffer for it.

 

We can have power, strength and wisdom

even in the hard times.  Never let it be the end of the story.

Let it be a new chapter in your thinking and life.

 

Love always

millie