Gaining Mastery

February 27

It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows great enthusiasms, great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt

It is rather foolish to attempt to add anything to this quote because it is rich and full, What an encouragement it is to continue to strive for the highest and best of all to which we can aspire. What an incentive it is to keep trying to right every wrong we encounter along our way! Will there be nay-sayers? Will there be critics who wag their fingers and their tongues at us? There well may be, but our forward propulsion doesn't come because of their affirmation or its lack.

We are kept on our course by the inner enthusiasm of our own soul. And that comes from Jesus, of whom the Word says, "If God be for us, who can be against us," Romans 8:31. We know He is for us when our cause is right. We know He is for us because He has assured us that when we come to Him for forgiveness of sin, “He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” I John 1:9.

Will others come along side and rejoice at our deliverance from the snare in which the evil one had caught us? Not always--there will always be those who, like Jonah (Book of Jonah), thought the people of Nineveh were too wicked to hear the message of forgiveness which God compelled him to share. Like Jonah, they are wrong; they are challenged with the great fish of unforgiveness that swallows them up! We, on the other hand, will indeed hear the message and be forgiven by the Lord who washes us free of sin—and ultimately they will be required to forgive us--or perish in their sin.

It is Jesus Himself who encourages us along our way and empowers us to take our stand with the great ones who rise above every challenge to attain new heights of both outward accomplishment and inner contentment, joy, and peace! He wants us to make giant strides toward the inner tranquility that He imparts to those who are great sinners-- forgiven and made new.

Being among your greatest critics may stir up negative feelings but do not allow their accusations to stick to you! It is God's desire that you, like the people of Nineveh know newness in Christ—it is His desire that you claim and know and abide in forgiveness and acceptance into the family of God (Revelation 21:5) that has been purchased for you at great price (II Corinthians 9:15).

Don't allow lesser men who see their own sullied, self-righteous presumption as a viable cloak for their sin rob you of the robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10) that Jesus has placed upon you! Stand strong and arise gloriously in WHOSE YOU ARE! You are to rule and reign eternally in the heavenlies (II Timothy 2:12), so surely you can gain mastery over every challenge you face in time!