Be a Winner

Everyone inevitably faces troubles in this life. Jesus said, “In this life you will have troubles.” (John 16:33) The question is not when will they come? But how will I respond to them when they do?

A life full of troubles has taught me that I only have two ways to respond to the inevitable giants I face. I can either take care of them with my own understanding or I can turn them over to God.

Israel’s journey to the Promised Land is a tragic story of how God’s people dealt with the giants from their own understanding. It’s a dramatic lesson of how we should always trust God.

God promised them a land “flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:7). But when the spies returned with reports of giants and walled cities, the people were afraid and began to complain. They focused on the negatives instead of God’s direction and promises. (Numbers 13-14)

Discontent, discomfort, and disappointment are the attitudes that lead to grumbling about God and the circumstances. They led the Israelites into rebellion and separation from God. The Israelites forgot what they knew about God’s character and made their decision on the basis of their own understanding. 

Only Joshua and Caleb trusted the Lord. They told the people, “The Lord is with us, do not fear them.” (Numbers 14:9) But the people refused to listen. They were on the cusp of the ultimate blessings. They had witnessed the miracles in Egypt and their feet walked on the dry bottom of the Red Sea. 

God’s faithfulness protected them, fed them, and fulfilled every promise. Why did they stop trusting God? FEAR! They were afraid. They dwelt on that fear and believed victory was impossible. Consequently, they lost the blessings and were condemned to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. What short memories. What disappointing faithlessness!

The obstinate cell mate, the abusive guard, the disingenuous classifications officer, the complacent chaplain, the condemning Christian brother, the envious unbeliever are just a few of the inevitable giants I face behind the razor-wire fences. I learned that when I tried to solve my problems by my own understanding, I failed miserably. But when I turned them over to God, the results turned out for my good and I had peace.

For example, when I went to breakfast this morning someone went into my cell and stole my battery operated electric razor and coffee out of my locker. I was angry when I discovered them missing.

It didn’t take much detective work to discover who the thief was. I told him I knew he stole my razor, but he denied it. I looked at him sternly. I knew he was lying.

Here again I faced a situation where I had to choose if I would handle it with my own understanding. But I knew God wanted me to trust Him. If I handled it my way it wouldn’t turn out well and I’d have to suffer the consequences. Later that day I went back to the inmate and told him, “I forgive you.”

He said, “I didn’t take your coffee.”

I smiled and thought, “I never told him any coffee was stolen.” “I forgive you,” I repeated. I decided God could handle it a lot better than I could.

When life is filled with troubles and the inevitable giants confront me, finding happiness in a prison cell may seem impossible.

But the Bible says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” (Psalm 37:23) If God is ordering my steps that means He has me right where He wants me. I don’t have to understand everything to be happy. What I need is the same attitude the apostle Paul had when he wrote from a prison cell, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)

Paul knew happiness was a choice. When I rejoice in the midst of my difficulties, I give God praise despite the circumstances. Not everything I do may work out the way I want it to. But I know when I am walking in step with God, I will win in the end. (Romans 8:28) That’s the kind of trust that comes from a heart that does not lean on its own understanding but believes in God’s promises. That kind of trust chooses to be happy no matter what happens. The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Life is a challenge. There will always be giants to overcome, rivers to cross and mountains to climb. We all go through troubles in life’s journey that we do not understand. But God has a history of directing people and making them winners in the game of life. Joshua and Caleb trusted the Lord. They knew He was directing their steps and did not insist on understanding everything. They were winners.

I don’t know how the future will turn out but overcoming the inevitable giants in my life gives my faith meaning. When you trust God with the future you will have peace. You can choose to be happy; and even from behind the razor-wire fences, you can enjoy the journey and be a winner.