If you have been a human being for very long, then you have probably found yourself face-to-face with defeat a couple of times by now. We must realize that defeat is real, that it can happen in any area of our lives (at work, as a parent, as a youth leader, etc), and that it can destroy your spiritual walk if not dealt with in the proper manner.

God allows us to face situations in our life. Before you have a testimony you have to have a test. Trials and tribulation aren’t one of the fun things to deal with, but every test has two outcomes: pass or fail. We can view these situations in one of two ways: a stumbling block and a reason to quit entirely, or as a stepping stone that we can learn a valuable lesson from.

Peter is a prime example of going past defeat.  In Matthew 14:29-31, we read that he failed at walking on water, Matthew 26:74-75 tells us that he denied Jesus, but then in Acts 2:14 he preached the greatest sermon ever, and went on to start the modern day church!

But that’s a Biblical example, and we have trouble relating to those. What about us carnal people?

History tells us about a man who lost his job, failed in business, his sweetheart died, had a nervous breakdown, lost many elections and reelections, but in 1860 Abraham Lincoln overcame all his defeats to become President. How many times must he have been depressed? How many times did he want to quit?

Ecclesiastes 9:4
“For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than dead lion.”

If you give up, then there is no hope! As long as you stay in the fight there is hope. Fight, fight, fight, then fight some more.

Micah 7:8
“Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.”

Notice that the Bible says “when I fall” and not “if I fall”? As long as you are flesh, you will fall from time to time.  I have seen people get saved, and be so excited, but when they made one mistake it destroyed them. They were so happy with the change, but when sin crept in, it knocked them out. The devil will ALWAYS capitalize on GUILT TRIPS and PITY PARTIES. Don’t give him room to do so!

Philemon 4:8
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”