Defeat and Victory…

Defeat and Victory…4-26-25

My grandson is now in 10U baseball. We are all finding, coaches included, this is a whole new ballgame. Part of the kids on the team are still 8, and all but one have never played 10U before. What a learning experience. His team is still in the “I want to have fun!” stage of baseball. Getting beat badly every game is not fun. Yes, they are learning, but it isn’t fun. Parents and coaches are competitive and there is an atmosphere of “win at all costs” for the teams they play. Most of the kids on his team aren’t even all that competitive. Oh boy! One team beat them 18 to 1 and didn’t back off. A little defeat is healthy, too much can be detrimental to the self esteem, in my opinion.

However, the coaches on my grandson’s team aren’t teaching them win at all costs. They are teaching them integrity, sportsmanship, and fundamentals. Healthy competition. One is a pastor. Another, my son, who goes to church and is saved. The third and fourth who truly loves these boys. A team of good men who love and encourage. The lesson they are teaching is grace in defeat. These are the life lessons that will be needed when they face defeat as an adult in more than one situation.

I wish I could handle defeat as gracious as these boys. I look at them and become discouraged for them, but then I remember that in defeat comes victory. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

You see, these boys are learning that they will not always “win” in everything. They will have trials and sometimes it seems they won’t win at all. But God is a good God and the lessons we learn in defeat form our character and our relationship with God. You may be learning and remembering those lessons right now as you are facing trials and what seems like defeat.

My grandson and I will talk about his defeats and God’s plan. We will talk about not always winning, but growing. We will talk about perseverance as we learn. And, we will talk about Romans 8:37 - “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” He is our victory and in Him, there is no defeat, we will overcome.