These 3 Victories Will Inspire Your Life

You surely know the sweetness of victory, don't you? Whether it is winning a match or a competition, or even winning a drawing. Every victory brings the same feeling: glad, happy and joy.

On the other hand, you may also never forget how it felt when you failed. Sad, disappointed, upset, perhaps even ashamed and angry. What you did seemed to have no meaning at all.

Perhaps you think the most desirable victory is when all effort and struggle produce results that match your expectations. It could be an outcome or a prize. For example, a quiz winner receives a prize worth millions of rupiah. Or an athlete wins a gold medal.

Is that really so? It turns out that the meaning of victory is not only about being number 1 or receiving a prize. Did you know that there are three kinds of victory that are far more meaningful? Curious? Let us look at the following article!

FINISHING THE RACE WELL

2 Timothy 4:7 I have finished the good race, I have reached the finish line and I have kept the faith.

When the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics took place, there was one name that will always be remembered. It was Gabriela Andersen Schiess, from Switzerland.

That day, August 5, 1984, the weather was very hot. The temperature was close to 32 degrees Celsius. She became dehydrated when she was almost at the finish line. Exhaustion, pain, and cramping made her stagger and unable to control her steps. The officials tried to stop her and asked her not to continue the race, but she forced herself toward the finish. In that race she eventually finished in 37th place. 

Even though she did not win and lift the marathon trophy, Gabriela was often called the best marathon runner to reach the finish line! She did not win, but she did not stop running.

Gabriela's story teaches everyone to keep fighting until the very end of the goal. More than victory, finishing the race is the goal itself.

The most beautiful victory does not lie in the result, but in the effort itself. As Ecclesiastes 7:8 says, "The end of a matter is better than its beginning."

Remember, victory is not only about becoming the champion, or getting the best result. If you have done your best in your work, and you still did not get the promotion, that does not mean you failed. You are still a winner, because you have done your very best.

Also, as a Christian, this life is our race. At times we fall into the same sin or stumble because of weakness. However, that does not mean you failed. Rise again, strengthen yourself. Keep trying and keep fighting, until the finish line, until the Lord comes again!

THE VICTORY OF FAITH

1 John 5:4 For everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world: our faith.

One day, I rebuked a friend because of his poor behavior. Suddenly he became hostile toward me. We did not speak to each other, and even when we met, he did not greet me.

One day we held a cocktail party. I took the initiative to get a glass of cocktail for this friend. Instead of receiving it gladly, the friend turned his face away and brushed aside the glass of cocktail .

Even though my good deed was not well received, I was not angry, upset, or disappointed. After returning home from the party, I felt glad, because I had won!

I felt happy, because I had succeeded in overcoming my ego. I was able to humble myself and do what was right, not according to my own will, but according to God's will.

Most of all, I had overcome the world; irritation, resentment, and anger. My faith to do what was right gave me victory!

It is the same if you help someone because you love that person, but it turns out that person attacks you in return. You are disappointed and sad, but you do not let your disappointment toward that person grow into a root of bitterness. 

You surrender everything to God, and trust that God will take into account all the good you have done for that person, you do not repay what he has done, and you continue to love him while hoping that one day your friend will understand how sincerely you love him.

This is the meaning of the victory of faith. You do not let the flesh or ego take control; instead, your faith succeeds in overcoming that flesh.

VICTORY OVER SIN AND THE OLD SELF

John 12:24 Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

Jesus' death brought salvation to His people, because in that way sins could be overcome. Whoever believes in Jesus receives life and becomes a new person. The death of Jesus was clearly an epic.

Likewise, when you believe in Jesus, you can put to death your sins and your old self. You too will be brought to life again in a new life. That means you have won, because you are no longer the old you, but you have been transformed into a new person!

Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your body, you will live.

I will never forget the day when I was baptized on March 13, 1993. That day was a day full of victory in my life, because I surrendered my life completely into God's hands. I committed that whatever happened in my life, I would follow Jesus until I met Him in heaven.

Since that time I have easily overcome sins: deceit,  pride, impure and evil thoughts, as well as a vengeful spirit and difficulty forgiving.

Look, true victory is not a victory that you gain just like that. But you may have to go through many failures, struggles, and even battles in your life. Yet you keep standing firm and keep moving forward with your head held high and your eyes fixed on Christ!

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In the end, victory is not only about struggle and good results. When we are able to finish the race well, stand firm in faith, and also overcome sins, all of those are beautiful victories too. 

When you begin to grow tired, tempted, or feel no longer strong enough, let this be your inspiration. Your struggle is not over. Believe it, you can still win!

Related Articles:

• Why Do We Need to Take Medicine and Not Just Pray?
• Fruit Never Lies - Galatians 5:22-23
• Christian Faith: Faith to Walk on Water
• Giving Others a Second Chance
• Rise Again: Face Crisis with Christ

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