Strength to Persevere
There is a story about professional golfer Gary Player that sounds like it could have happened to me. Once in a major tournament Player tried to ricochet a ball off a stone wall. “I tried to be fancy,” admitted Player. The ball hit the wall where it was intended, but instead of finishing on the green, it ricocheted back and hit Player on the cheek. The force of the blow knocked him out cold.
“Finally, I regained my senses,” says Player, “at least a portion of them. Still groggy, I chipped onto the green and then somehow knocked the long putt into the hole. At that time, I assumed I had tied for the lead and would be in a play-off. An official then informed me that I had incurred a two-stroke penalty for impeding the flight of the ball because it had struck me. I lost the tournament.”
Ever have a day like that? When everything you try seems to work against you? From time to time, most of us do get knocked flat only to get up and get knocked down again.
The real question is how do we respond. Do we grow bitter or cynical or angry?
Vince Lombardi once said, “It does not matter how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get up.”
Friend of Dial Hope, I pray that you would not give in to bitterness, or cynicism, or despair. I know that’s easier said than done. But, my prayer for you is that you would always hold on to hope. May you trust that even when you feel you are beyond your ability to cope, God will give you the strength you need to persevere. And may you notice even in the midst of the most difficult moments, the hand of God providing.
Our prayer today was written by theologian Thomas a Kempis in the 1400s. Let us pray: Write your blessed name, O Lord, upon my heart, there to remain so indelibly engraved, that no prosperity, no adversity, shall ever move me from your love. Be to me a strong tower of defense, a comforter in tribulation, a deliverer in distress, a very present help in trouble, and a guide to heaven through the many temptations and dangers of this life. Amen.
Daily Message Author: Joe Albright
Joe began his ministry in Sarasota, Florida as an associate pastor, and it was in this capacity that he worked alongside the Reverend Dr. Roger Kunkel. Roger was a colleague who became a mentor and treasured friend. From Sarasota, Joe was called to Jacksonville, Florida where he served as the Head of Staff at Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian Church. Currently, Joe and his family worship and serve at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Switzerland, Florida. Full Bio
