The late Batsell Barrett Baxter, a well known and beloved preacher among churches of Christ, told the following story. “A young man ran for the legislature in Illinois and was badly defeated. He next entered business, failed, and spent the next seventeen years paying back the debt. He was in love with a beautiful girl to whom he became engaged, and then she died. He then tried to get an appointment to the United States Land Office but was refused. Entering politics again he ran for Congress and was badly swamped. He became a candidate for the U. S. Senate and was brushed aside. In 1856 he became a candidate for the Vice‐Presidency and was hardly considered. In 1858 he was defeated by Douglas.
One failure after another, and they were dark failures and great disappointments.Here are enough failures to cause a man to give up and quit. However, the story has an unbelievable ending for we remember that two years later, in 1860, this man who had been so consistently dogged by failure was elected President of the United States. Not only was Abraham Lincoln elected President, he went on to become one of the most highly respected men in the history of the entire world. No American stands higher in the esteem of people around the globe than this man who had the deep determination to press on, even after repeated failure. One cannot but think about what might have happened if Abraham Lincoln had given up.”
What is discouraging you today? Some have lost jobs. Others are dealing with health issues. A few are involved in conflict with other individuals at work or at home. Are you ready to quit? Please don’t. There is hope – a light on the horizon – a promise of better days to come. In 1 Corinthians 15:58 the apostle Paul said, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Hang In There My Friend,
THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT!
Personal Note: I will be having eye surgery on Wednesday of this week in an attempt to restore vision to my left eye which had been blinded by a large hemorrhage. i certainly appreciate your prayers. I hope to be back with a new blog next week.
