Don’t Let Defeat Have the Last Word

We are all working on what the Hill Foundation points out below in varying degrees, because we all suffer failure of one kind or another in our lives. I have been encouraged to not let defeat defeat me by what I have been reading recently. In Mark 9-12 I see the miserable failure of a couple of hard headed disciples. Jesus went to great lengths to make clear to them the importance of servanthood in the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 9:33-37 They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.”

A pretty clear and simple illustration wouldn’t you say? When it comes to receiving believers, don’t take the role of a parent, but be humble and childlike; be a sister; be a brother.

To keep the principle in the forefront of the mind, Jesus reminded His followers with the severest of warnings.

Mark 9:42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea.

Regardless, nevertheless, as if Jesus had been talking to a wall, not many days later to our astonishment we read this.

Mark 10:13 And they [those in the crowd] were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them.

If this is not failure, I don’t know what it is. Jesus, now upset and not willing to let them slide on this crucial principle, repeated Himself.

Mark 10:14-16 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” 16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.

So by now you might think they got it, right? Jesus settled it, right? Well, you know how stubborn and slow of hearing we can be.

Mark 10:35-45 James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.” 36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 37 They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 They said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. 40 “But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

41 Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John. 42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. 43 “But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Oh, what an example Jesus went on to be. What ever became of James and John? At this point, not half, but all 10 of the apostles were highly irritated at what these two sons of thunder had become. Did they ever learn? Did they die defeated? Far from it. James, according to Acts 12:2 was the Church’s first martyr. He died serving His Lord, not his own interests. Likewise, John would rather be banished to the island of Patmos than deny His Lord. He would write a significant portion of the New Testament and come to be known as the apostle of love. Message received; they finally got it.

Therefore I say all this to say this, (and as Hill says below), we can’t let our mental attitude toward our own failures overcome us. Persevere. The Lord is not done with us yet.

From: NHF World Learning Center

Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2016 3:10 AM
To: Robert Coss
Subject: Napoleon Hill’s Thought for the Day

It isn’t defeat, but rather your mental attitude toward it, that whips you.


There are many things in life that you cannot control, but you can always control your attitude toward them. Defeat is never permanent unless you allow it to be so. When you have a positive attitude, you will recognize failure for the impostor that it is and realize that it is really a learning experience, a valuable lesson that will help you succeed with the next attempt. Ask yourself: What could I have done differently that would have altered the outcome? What can I do in the future to minimize problems and mistakes? What did I learn from this experience that I can put to good use next time? If you approach obstacles and setbacks with a positive attitude, you will be surprised how quickly you can turn defeat into victory.

Permanent link to this post: It isn’t defeat, but rather your mental attitude toward it, that whips you.

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