Why Losing Doesn’t Make You a Loser—Part 2
Last week we discussed how sometimes we learn more in losing and how sometimes a win is disguised as a loss. I shared some personal examples of situations where it seemed like I was losing, but it ended up being a “win” in the end. There were so many times in my life where I actually won from losing. Thankfully, I’ve been able to recognize those wins by taking some of the practical steps that I shared last week. This week I’d like to share some examples from the bible of winning from losing, and I will share some more practical steps that have helped me to realize that losing doesn’t make you a loser and how not to lose hope.
There are examples throughout the bible where God turned losing into a win. My pastor calls it “turning the tables on the devil”. There are stories in scripture where it looked like they lost but they really won—a bigger “win” than if they never “lost”.
Starting in Genesis 37, you can read the story of Joseph (this is one of my favorite bible stories!) and his circumstances of seemingly losing over and over. First his brothers were jealous of him and hated him. They originally made plans to kill him but ended up selling him into slavery instead (telling their father that he had been killed by wild animals). He then worked as a slave in Egypt (Genesis 39) and was eventually put in charge of the entire household, but he was later falsely accused of rape and sent to prison. There he was favored and put in charge of all the other prisoners. Ultimately he ended up interpreting some dreams for Pharaoh and ended up being made ruler of Egypt only being outranked by the Pharaoh (Genesis 41). His brothers who had first meant him harm wound up humbling themselves and bowing before him. In the end, Joseph was in a higher position than he could have ever achieved without “losing”, and he was able to save his family and the lives of many others through the process.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
Have you had someone hate you, betray you, falsely accuse you or forget you? Remember Joseph.
In Daniel 3 you can read the story of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and what appeared to be “losing” for them. They refused to bow down and worship a statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had built. They were thrown into a blazing furnace of fire to be burned alive. This plan backfired. Not only were they saved and promoted, but the king recognized God in front of all of the high-ranking officials throughout the land who had gathered there (who would then each go home to tell the story of the one, true God).
“Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.” Daniel 3:28-30 (NLT)
Have you done the right thing and seemed to only get punished for it? Are others prideful and angry around you? Has somebody embarrassed you (or tried to embarrass you) in front of other people? Remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
In Daniel 6 you can read the story of Daniel and where some officers were jealous of him, his position and his favor. They schemed and arranged for him to be put to death in a lions’ den. Getting thrown into a lions’ den definitely looks like losing! However, their plan backfired on them. They ended up being put to death, Daniel prospered, and God was exalted throughout the kingdom (none of which would have happened had they not conspired against him).
“Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den. Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you! “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” Daniel 6:24-28 (NLT)
Have you had someone jealous of you? Has anyone ever tried to sabotage you? Have those who once believed in you turned their backs on you? Remember Daniel.
Possibly the biggest biblical example of losing to winning is found in the story of Jesus (read in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). What looked like defeat was actually God’s greatest victory. Jesus laid down his life in death and was resurrected 3 days later making salvation available for the entire world. We now have victory; we now are winners because of Jesus’ death and sacrifice. Because of Jesus, we are no longer on the losing side.
In “losing” was God’s greatest victory
“Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18 (NLT)
Have you had to take the punishment or blame for something that somebody else did? Do others mock or make fun of you? Do some people think you’re crazy? Have some of your friends let you down? Remember Jesus.
Don’t ever forget that losing may not always be what it seems!
Take Some Practical Steps to Remind You That Losing Doesn’t Make You a Loser:
- Read/Remember the bible stories of losing to winning to give you hope. Think of and re-read the stories of Joseph, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego and Jesus (or any of the many others that inspire you or give you hope). Remember that many others have gone through similar situations, circumstances, and feelings, and it still turned out great for them.
- Realize that NO MATTER WHAT YOUR SITUATION IS, that God can turn it around for good. He doesn’t cause bad things to happen to you—He is a good God. BUT…He can turn those losing situations into something good. God can turn your loss into a win. Write Romans 8:28 out and place it somewhere as a reminder.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 (NLT)
- Find some other verses that remind and encourage you that you can win through losing. Write out one or two of your favorites. Post them somewhere where you will see them and memorize them. Here are some ideas for starters…
Scriptures about gaining/winning through losing:
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 (NIV)
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.” Philippians 3:7-8 (NIV)
“Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21 (NIV)
“And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29 (NLT)
“If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.” Mark 8:35 (NLT)
“He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” Mark 9:35 (NLT)
“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” John 12:24 (NIV)
“How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.” 1 Corinthians 15:36 (NIV)
“Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18 (NLT)
What is your favorite bible example of losing to winning? Leave a comment below (click on the post link to join the conversation if you’re viewing through e-mail) or take the conversation to your favorite social media channel (sharing links below).
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