If you don't train to win at life then life will crush you. Life has no dress rehearsals, no do-overs, and not many breaks. Life is on a fast-paced track to one end - death. Now, for followers of Jesus, death is not as bad a fate as when we didn't know Him. In fact, death is the ultimate victory over what the world calls "life". Life extends far beyond this vapor we share on earth. Life is eternal. Thus, our training should follow an eternal plan.

 

In our work with foster children, former foster youth and families getting their children back from foster care, we see just how "hard" life can be. Drugs,  abuse, shame and neglect are common troubles. To help folks overcome these negative traits we need to train them to "win" at life. On of the greatest methods for helping someone train to win is encouraging them in the victories that have been won. There is a principle here: if you can do it once... you can do it again! Now, let me say it a different way. If God's grace has equipped you to accomplish anything once ... He can do it again!

 

When life get's hard, throw a God party and remember just Who He is and What He has done! He has done it once and He can do it again!

 

I know when the "life is hard" days come my way I have a tendency to ask God similar questions. I want to know what He is up to. "Are you there ... do You see this ... what are You going to do about it?" And then I am reminded that He is God and I am not. It is my job to "train to win" in the face of "Life is Hard"!  To reach this lofty goal I find it helpful, as did the psalmist, to simply remember what God has done.

 

I trust you understand I am not making light of pain, sorrow or troubles. Rather, I want to expose them for what they are ... distractions. The world will always have pain, sorrow and trouble as this is the result of sin. The question remains, what will you do when those days come? I hope you throw a party and laugh in the face of the devil of distraction as He attempts to steal your hope, kill your faith and destroy your joy.

 

When the psalmist came to the end of his "pity party", he went into training and threw a different kind of party. He threw a "God" party and began to recall and recount the wonderful ways God had moved in his life. The Scripture even states that he meditated on the mighty deeds and ways of God. You can feel his countenance change from pity to protection. He stopped complaining and started counting the blessings of God.

 

Friend, there is one thing the enemy of your soul cannot stand and that is your praise and worship. I am not talking about merely singing but the "fruit of your lips" giving God praise for who He is and what He has done in your life and in the world. This breaks the back of the enemy and actually dislodges his grip on your spirit. So, my advice to you when times get tough is to throw a God party and shake off the pity and party with God. He will give you hope for tomorrow and joy for your sorrow.