Glory or Shame?

Someone once said, "we learn more from our failures than we do from our successes."  Is this true?   Any of us that have lived long enough to see this quote as true can attest- we do learn great things in the face of defeat- if we choose.  That is the catch to this principal- we have to desire the lesson and not the temptation to grow bitter from it.  The NT says this about Christ-

Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross. disregarding its shame.  Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

When we face a defeat there may be a temptation to wonder and care too much, "what do others think?"-  And hold our head in shame.  I find it interesting that this verse says CHRIST disregarded the shame.  Does that mean that shame may have been a natural reaction to the seeming defeat Christ was facing- The Cross?  We know from scripture that most everyone fled, even Peter denied Him- his followers did not understand.  I can imagine them thinking and conversing with one another- "this is the one we so believed in?"  This can't be the plan- Boo- hiss, shame.  Questioning dialogue, gossip and slander against our perfect LORD- BUT, He endured the pain, disregarded the shame, for the joy awaiting him.  This is a great example for me!

- Defeat has to ultimately be blamed on someone right?  We act as if defeat is unnatural and even wrong, yet all through scripture we see a theme of trial, hardship, and defeat and how God brought joy from it.  

I believe what Paul said, "count it all joy when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

This has been true in my life.   God brings good out of everything- that is HIS nature to do so.  It is fine to mourn and grieve a loss- even a basketball game, but in the end, followers of Christ know-good comes out of everything.   It is a dangerous thing to look into another person’s life and think you know or understand why they are suffering- only God knows and only HE knows the good he intends to bring from it.  In the meantime?  We have His word to draw encouragement from.   We must disregard others opinions of the very holy work God is doing in our life and press on for the glory set before us!