Keep Swinging the Bat

 I am an avid Pittsburgh Pirates fan. Most people ask, "Why don't you cheer for a team that's actually good?" Well, first of all, I have always been a Pittsburgh sports fan. Secondly, I don't believe in being a fair-weather fan. I think a real fan supports their team through the good times and bad. What I like especially is this team has a winning attitude, even when circumstances are not in their favor.

I turned on yesterday's game, looking forward to a way to relax for the afternoon. Right away, first inning, the Pirates were down three to nothing. I have to admit, I thought to myself, "I wonder what else is on TV today so I don't have to watch them lose again." But I decided to leave it on. Even if they were going to lose, there is some young talent that is fun to watch.

Then, in the third inning, very quickly the Pirates loaded the bases. Even though I love this team and remain hopeful, I have seen the Pirates load the bases several times and get nothing out of it. But then Michael Chavis came up to bat, and he hit a grand slam to take the lead. From there on out, there was no stopping them, and they won the game 9-4. 

Looking at that scoreboard in the first inning, it would have been easy for the Pirates to feel defeated. They could have just thrown in the towel and given up. But that is one of the things I love about baseball. It's the fighting spirit, the "it ain't over til it's over" attitude. 

Life can be this way. There are so many times we get knocked down by the circumstances in our lives, and it just seems like there is no way we can win. But just like a baseball player goes out inning after inning, picks up the bat, and keeps that winning spirit, so can we. We do have to put the work in. We have to keep going to bat, knowing that the Lord is on our side and will bless our work in Him.

Here are a few Scriptures to encourage you when it seems like you just can't win:

• 2 Chronicles 15:7 - "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."
• Galatians 6:9 - "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
• Matthew 19:26 - "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"
• Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all this through Him who gives me strength."
• Romans 8:37 - "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

There are many other passages that the Lord has provided to help us in our times when we feel defeated. Take some time to search the Word and see that God has given us the victory. He wants us to understand that, even when circumstances make us feel like we've lost, those circumstances are temporary, and we can come out on the other side as winners. 

Defeat is never a reality for those who are in Christ. It may not always feel that way. Never rely on your feelings or what the situation looks like in the moment; rather, rely on the truth that God provides. Here is one more Scripture to hold onto when you just can't seem to win:

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." - 2 Corinthans 4:8-9

No matter how many curve balls life throws at you, keep picking up that bat and swinging. You are not defeated. God will enable you to hit one out of the park.