Defeat Discouragement

“Defeat should never be a source of discouragement, but rather a fresh stimulus.”
Robert South

Feeling discouraged? Do you have the blues? Losing streaks, slumps, bad investments, a job loss or even the weather can bring us down. Here’s an idea…do something good for someone else today; write a note to an elderly friend, thank a teacher or coach for having a positive influence in your life, give an unexpected gift to your spouse, a friend or a pastor, visit or call someone who is lonely or in poor health.

In the early 90’s, my University of Kentucky baseball team put together a great season. We even completed a three game sweep against the number one team in the nation. At the end of the season we were ready to compete in the NCAA Regional Baseball Tournament and perhaps even contend for a national championship. Unfortunately, the NCAA Selection Committee had other ideas. We did not receive a bid to for the tourney! Obviously, the disappointment was real and I allowed it to last a little longer than it should. That summer when I was going through serious bouts of self-pity, I was invited to spend time at the Indian Summer Camp for kids battling cancer. Many were bald from chemotherapy; others were weak and pale from serious medical procedures. But, for a week, they enjoyed being campers. A few of the boys wanted to play catch and listen to stories about baseball. It was an awesome day. For the rest of the summer, my attitude took a drastic turn toward the positive.

God created us to do good things for other people. If we spend our time thinking only of ourselves, we will eventually feel empty, sad and useless. Paul said: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10)

God created you. He loves you. You are His masterpiece. If you want to “feel” like a masterpiece, do what He created you to do. Do a good thing for someone else.

In the early 90’s I was honored to take my family to the Indian Summer Camp, KY. It was a summer camp for children recovering from Cancer. (last picture) Sons, Austin & Tyler and wife Sharon played games with the children.
1990-Indian Summer-2 1990-Indian Summer
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