Attributed to George Custer, Vince Lombardi, Cary-Hiroyuki Taga, Robert Whittaker and many others.
Regardless of who actually came up with the above quotation, it describes accurately a character trait every believer in Jesus Christ needs to develop. The lives we live on a daily basis rarely go as planned. What happens to us and all around us very often is unfair and unjust. And problems, well, they seem to be ever present. It can feel like we are living out an ongoing boxing match in which our opponent is far stronger. Getting up after being knocked down can get old very fast.
For some people, the unexpected and cruel blows of life can be too much. Rather than getting back up, they remain in a constant state of bitterness and self-pity. Instead of trying to once more overcome difficult circumstances, they seek to find whatever and whoever to blame for their inability to overcome. They give in and give up to despair and despondency.
Jesus was very straightforward about the difficulties of life. He told his followers, “In this world you are going to have trouble. But be courageous! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 The resurrection of Jesus Christ and his promise to visibly return to establish perfect peace, justice and happiness for all of eternity is more than enough reason to not only get up after the knockdowns of life, but to overcome.
Resilience is a powerful transforming tool in God’s hands as he molds our character through the storms of life, while at the same time uses the example of what he is doing in our lives to open the hearts of others to his life changing grace.
If you are in one of those overwhelming times of life when the temptation to just throw in the towel and go with the flow is becoming more attractive each day, join us for our Sunday morning worship service. With Jesus Christ in your corner, getting back up and living for him isn’t just one response to troubles, it’s the best response!
Sunday Morning Worship – 10:00 am