Life is not a bed of roses! There are times when one suffers setback, defeat and failure in life endeavour. It is nothing new to fail, but failure to rise and bounce back is not good enough. How one responds to defeat and handles the phase of despondency matters a lot. I will like us to learn some lessons from the life of a man who was vast experienced in tackling failure and discouragement. What did he do and how did he manage that devastating period of his life?
1 Samuel 30:1-20 gives account of the heavy loss recorded by David. The Amalekites invaded, attacked and destroyed Ziklag while David and his men were not on ground. It was a devastating destruction as the city was razed down to ashes. The people were held as prisoners of war while their animals were captured as spoils of war by the invaders. In fact, the two wives of King David were among the victims. David was completely taken aback upon getting to the scene. To worsen the situation, his own very people threatened to stone him if he failed to bring back their loved ones. The scripture says David was greatly distressed and discouraged. Can you now see that you are not the first person to suffer loss or become discouraged?
The process of recovery starts with discovery of God’s sovereignty over your situation. David eventually encouraged himself in the Lord and then made enquiry from the Lord about pursuing the enemies. He simply asked two questions, but God even responded to the one he never asked. “So David inquired of the Lord, saying, ‘Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?’ And he answered him, ‘Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all” (1Samuel 30:8). God did not only tell him to pursue that he would overtake, but that he would recover all he had lost. Be encouraged in the Lord to face every ‘Goliath’ threatening your life! David testifies in Psalms 18:37- “I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them; neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed.” Always remember the testimony of God’s miraculous interventions of the past. Believe in God’s ability to give you the needed testimony.
Friend, you too can overtake and recover all the lost or missed opportunities, if only you will pursue! However, you have to first enquire from God like David. Ensure that you are guided by God in your life pursuits. Cultivate the habit of hearing distinctively from God! It is well with you.
