Living With Purpose
Most successful people can be described as “overcomers”. For there isn’t anyone who has ever lived, that did not have to face some type of hardship, difficulty, or temptation. Whether it be a physical challenge, financial problem, mental difficulty, or a strained relationship—life can be hard. It is the possession of “comeback power”, that inner drive that makes a person strong in character and determines strength of mind.
Even when faced with a seemingly impossible situation, everyone needs to learn to look for better things if he or she expects better things to come. Expectation can help strengthen your faith and hope helps you look for a positive outcome. The One who created us, has given us the capability to see things as we would desire them to be. That’s why positive thinking is so important. Recall the words of Psalm 121: “I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help cometh from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip…”
When you are trying to adjust to things that go wrong, you need to recognize that most of what is going wrong usually comes from an imbalance within yourself. Not always, but more times than not. I’ve found this to be true with myself and in the testimony of others. If you’re constantly blaming someone else being the cause of your problem(s), you are in a way, saying your present circumstances are out of your control. It is important to understand, however, sometimes sorrows and tragedies take place that are beyond human control. Even if it’s clearly not your fault—ask yourself, “What am I doing to make these things happen? Is there something I can do to make things better?”
Here’s a “comeback power” story: At the end of my junior track season in high school I was hitting my stride going into the district meet. At the time there were no regional qualifying meets. You went straight from districts to state. I woke up on race day not feeling well. My head hurt and my stomach was making weird sounds. I managed to qualify for the state meet in the mile and two mile races. By the early morning hours the next day I had a fever and was feeling worse. The following three days found my temperature rising and topping out at 102. The state meet was in a couple of days. I lost my appetite and could barely drink. I lost weight and to me that was lost strength. It came time for the state meet and I debated on going. I was devastated. The biggest meet of the year and I had to get sick. Against my Mother’s wishes and probably my better judgment I went any way hoping for a miracle recovery. As I warmed up for the Mile run I knew it would not be fun, or easy. After lap one I was in trouble and went on to finish second to last. I was discouraged and powerless. I thought: “Why would God let this happen to me? He knew how important this was to me. Why did He allow me to get sick?” As I got in the car with my Dad for the long drive home from Winter Park to Jay, I picked up a pen and the State Meet Program. On the back cover I wrote, “I shall return!” Even as a naive, gullible teenager I knew where my strength came from.
In my “comeback” I would train smarter, get more sleep, listen to my coach better, treat people right, have good sportsmanship, and rely on God’s power. This was my plan to draw upon my “comeback power”. One year later I went undefeated my entire senior year in the Mile run (1A-3A competition) and won the 1A State Mile Championship in a school record time of 4:31. When a man, woman, or child is committed to something and God is in it, nothing can hold them back.
I’m sure you also have a “comeback” story. I would love to hear it. We all have at least one inside of us waiting to come out. Make it happen. It’s good to draw strength from God’s good work in your life. When you are on top of life and things are going smoothly, study what you’re doing right and commit it to your consciousness until it becomes a natural part of you. Adopt the five (5) creative principles (think, learn, try, work, and believe). Do these with joy. The Bible says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10). Believe in God, believe in yourself, be a maximizer, believe in the future and always think positive. Never minimize yourself and don’t listen to the negative voices from others. Listen to God’s voice (Job 37:5). With God we have greater powers than we ever realize. Never doubt, be a “comeback kid” no matter your age and be a real believer. Real believers draw strength from other believers, so find a church, attend faithfully, and follow God in all your ways.
- This weekly column is written by Matthew Dobson. A graduate of Florida State University, University of West Florida, and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, he is Pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Jay, Florida. Matthew can be reached by email: rmdobson@liberty.edu. He welcomes your thoughts and questions concerning faith, belief, and Christian living.
