Defeat Does Not Have to Defeat Us

November 14, 2017

A disturbing headline recently told us of yet another mass shooting; this time in Texas. I write about it because though disturbing, there’s also something different about this. It’s the same “different” we saw in Charleston South Carolina.

The News

Of course, what I mean is faith, the same difference last week’s blog covered. How should people respond when 9 people are killed in Charleston and 26 in Sutherland Springs, Texas? I don’t have the clear answer for that, but let me show you how some have responded.

The Response

The Washington Post carried an account of what Nadine Carter, daughter of 70-year old Ethel Lance, said to the suspect in a South Carolina courtroom. “I forgive you,” her voice breaking with emotion. “You took something very precious from me. I will never talk to her again. I will never, ever hold her again. But I forgive you. And have mercy on your soul.” There were no riots or rage, just forgiveness.

In Sutherland Springs, Texas where 26 people were killed, there were also no riots or turmoil. Victims ranged from 18 months to 77 years, yet there was not a hint of violence. Instead, CNN reports that residents hugged each other. They held candles, sang hymns and prayed in a candlelight vigil less than 24 hours after the tragedy.

The Secret

How could people from either community maintain such composure? Simply stated it’s faith, and faith would not let them be defeated. One of the Texas congregants put it this way. “Sutherland Springs is the kind of place where everybody knows everybody. This is a small, Christian community where everybody’s united. Everybody’s so close.”

The Hardships and Failures

Faith never guarantees we’ll be spared from hardship. In fact, there’s a significant history of persecution in the church. Jesus predicted a long time ago that in the world we’d have trouble, but He also encouraged us not to fear because he’d overcome the world. Now the overcoming he’s talking about didn’t come through blessing but through the hardship of rejection, scourging and crucifixion.

Michael Jordan on Defeat

I love what Michael Jordan said. During his career he lost 300 games, missed 9000 shots and 26 times he was trusted to make the last shot and he missed. Said Jordan, “I failed over and over and over again and that’s why I succeed.” He didn’t complain about the failures; he used them as an incentive to build grit, skill and determination to not be defeated.

From 2008-2012, after 12 straight years of growth, our fundraising consulting business declined substantially. Yet, as a person of faith I believed in the purpose God had given me and in the purpose of our business. I just knew things would get better. It was my job to continue to work as hard and as smart as I could. I knew that if I did that and prayed, somehow all of it would work for good. And I knew that even if I lost my business, God would still provide for us because He always had.

The Victory

Do these events sadden us? Absolutely! However, if we’re people of faith we also shouldn’t be discouraged. We have a promise; one-day, things will get better. That’s really the basis of our faith, to trust that God will eventually bring perfect justice to the world.

Until then we’re challenged to believe when there’s so much doubt, failure and tragedy around us. Yet, that’s the sustaining effect of faith. As it says in the book of Hebrews, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the assurance of things not seen.” So whatever you’re facing, faith can get you through it!

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Defeat Does Not Have to Defeat Us

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