Too often, it seems to me, people lose their courage in facing life, or moving forward toward worthwhile activities, because of past failures or fear that they may fail as they have in the past. One good way to cure such fears is to remember the story of a man who actually built a life of accomplishments out of defeats.
The following litany of failures, followed by victories that punctuated his life throughout 30 years, is a living and eloquent example of successful use of defeat in achieving victory. Abraham Lincoln’s record is as follows:
¨ Lost job, 1832
¨ Defeated for legislature, 1832
¨ Failed in business, 1833
¨ Elected to legislature, 1834
¨ Sweetheart (Ann Rutledge) died, 1835
¨ Had nervous breakdown, 1836
¨ Defeated for Speaker, 1838
¨ Defeated for nomination for Congress, 1843
¨ Elected to Congress, 1846
¨ Lost renomination, 1848
¨ Rejected for Land Officer, 1849
¨ Defeated for Senate, 1854
¨ Defeated for nomination for Vice-President, 1856
¨ Again defeated for Senate, 1858
¨ Elected President, 1860
Many times we allow defeats to keep us from trying – many give up in the face of defeat. But scripture declares, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). And remember, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).
Think About It!
Have A Great Day!
Tom Moore
Park Heights church of Christ
P. O. Box 107
1300 East Boynton Street
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.parkheightscoc.com
http://harrisandmoore.org
https://fromthepreacherspc.org/
http://www.syfirst.org
http://preachersfiles.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/preacherspc/
“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”
fromthepreacherspc 