Be a champion

Someone once said, "A champion is someone who gets up even when they can't."

Every time I read that quote, the first thing that comes to my mind is Rocky Balboa, the fictitious hero of the Rocky movies. Personally, I'm not a big fan of the "sport" of boxing. In fact, I think it's pretty moronic. "OK, let's throw two big ugly guys in the ring and see which one can beat the bloody pulp out of the other one first. We'll call him the winner, praise him as a modern-day hero, and write him a check for several million dollars." I mean, that's the kind of high standards and moral values that made this country great ... right? Give me a break!

Even though I don't particularly care for boxing (could you tell that?), the thing that I did like about the Rocky movies was Rocky's "give-it-everything-you've-got-never-say-die" attitude. I don't consider boxing greats to be legends or heroes, or even champions in the most glorious sense of that word. But I do consider people who face the struggles of life with the champion's attitude to be real-life heroes.

Maybe you are facing some difficult circumstances in your life. Difficult circumstances come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors.

Perhaps you're a kid who doesn't quite "fit in" at school, for whatever reason. Maybe the other kids make fun of you and pick on you, or just avoid you. It's tough being a kid when other kids don't like you.

Maybe it's health problems that cause you difficulty. Diabetes, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, failing eyesight, heart problems, and the list could go on and on, ad infinitum. Many people face daily struggles because of failing health. Some of these are the natural result of the aging process. Some strike people in the prime of life, and it just isn't fair.

Perhaps it's financial woes that have you down and out. When the money runs out before the month does, month after month after month, life can begin to seem pretty hopeless. I've seen statistics saying that money problems play a significant role in the break-up of the majority of all failed marriages.

I don't know what your particular struggles in life are. But I do know this. If you are a living, breathing human being, then you are faced with some sort of challenge, or you will be at some point in your life. Trials, tribulations, challenges, struggles, difficult circumstances -- whatever you want to call them -- they are simply a reality of life. But consider this for a moment. What happens TO you in life is not nearly as important as how you RESPOND to what happens to you. "We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails."

Albert Einstein said, "In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity." Lee Isaacs put it this way, "We are continually faced by great opportunities disguised as insolvable problems."

"A problem is a chance to do your best," (Duke Ellington, legendary jazz musician).

"The best way out is always through," (Robert Frost, poet).

But perhaps the great home run king Babe Ruth put it most eloquently. When asked how he managed to set the record for the number of home runs hit by a single player, he said, "I just keep goin' up there and swingin' at ‘em."

Whatever your struggles are, I challenge you to face them with renewed courage. Just keep goin' up there and swingin' at ‘em. Don't get caught in the trap of feeling sorry for yourself. Don't give up and throw in the towel. Don't quit!

Get back up, stare your obstacles in the face and say, "You will not defeat me." When they laugh at you and knock you back down -- get back up, stare them in the face again and say even louder, "You will not defeat me!" Even when you don't feel like you can get back up any more, get up anyway. It will make you stronger, it will make you better, it will strengthen your courage ... it will make you a champion.

Edwin Louis Cole said, "Champions aren't men who never fail. Champions are men who never quit." It's up to you. You've got what it takes. Get out there and show ‘em what you're made of!

Paul O'Rear serves as youth Minister to the College Street Church of Christ. He and his wife Susan have two children, Ashley and Justin.