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News from Good News Ministries:
- We All Lose
- New video! The Power of the Present Moment
- Plus great links to great content!
We All Lose
In this week’s Insiders View, I thought I would share a reflection I wrote a few years ago about how to overcome our losses and defeats. It’s my prayer that it will help you along your journey of faith this week.
As human beings, we are constantly competing to win or gain something. Whether it is a game, a job, a new possession, or a relationship, we are continuously attempting to reach a goal, whatever it may be for us at any particular moment in our lives. Competition is good, having goals is important, but losing often strengthens our will and our resolve.
Some losses are greater than others; watching your favorite sports team lose year-after-year pales in comparison to losing your job. Some losses we have no control over, and other kinds of loss we had influence in the circumstances and situations that contributed to the outcome. Either way, losing doesn’t feel very good, because we have been created to be champions and conquerors, following in the footsteps of Jesus. Christ promises us in the Book of Revelation, “I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne, as I myself first won the victory and sit with my Father on His throne (Rev. 3:21 NABRE).
God hardwired our nature to share in His glory, but because of the fall, we, members of the Church Militant, are born onto a battlefield and experience both victory and defeat throughout our lives. The pain of falling leaves scars that remind us of our mistakes and help us not to repeat the same failures. Not all losses are trivial; we lose things of Super Bowl-sized importance like a career path or advancement, friends betray our trust, or a spouse abandons their vow of marriage. While losses of this magnitude may shake our lives to the core, if we are still, listen, and trust God, He will slowly bind the wounds and place His wisdom in our hearts; defeat teaches us lessons victory cannot.
A Franciscan Religious Brother told me, “Only when your heart has stopped beating, has God chosen where you will spend eternity.” So, no matter how lopsided the score of the game of life is against you currently – if your heart is beating, you have a chance to turn it around and be victorious.
The key to victory is tenacity. Satan wants you to shrink instead of standing back up after you have lost. That is the only way he can win. Think about this: Satan got exactly what he wanted in the crucifixion – Jesus’ death. But the story didn’t end there; Christ’s resurrection destroyed death – Satan’s most coveted possession.
The crucifix reminds us Jesus willingly subjected himself to death for our salvation, and that as we His followers take up our cross, will experience pain and suffer losses we never considered or conceived (cf Matthew 16:24). It is precisely at that moment of defeat you are faced with a challenge, do you ask the Father to roll away the stone keeping you in the grave and walk out? Or do you just accept defeat and surrender to death?
We all lose. Will you rise?
We’ve Got a New Video for You!
The Power of the Present Moment
Have you ever wished God would simply show you His entire plan? Most of us spend a lot of time worrying about the future—wondering whether we’re making the right decisions or if we’re missing God’s will. But what if discerning God’s plan is much simpler than we think?
In this inspiring podcast episode, Terry Modica (founder of Good News Ministries of GNM.org) talks with Connor Curley. He is a hog farmer turned philosopher, National Guard member, husband, adoptive father, and author of “Remembering Freedom.” Hear the surprising ways God led him through life’s twists and turns. His story is a powerful reminder that God doesn’t ask us to know what we’re supposed to be doing in the future. He asks us to faithfully do what He’s calling us to do today.
Good News Prayer Room:
Use our collection of Catholic prayers designed with your needs in mind. They will give you hope and a stronger connection to God’s love and support. What do you need prayers for today?
Visit gnm.org/prayers.
Post your prayer requests @ gnm.org/post-a-prayer.
Good News WordBytes:
WANT MORE FAITH and HOPE in TROUBLED TIMES? WE’RE HERE for YOU! Choose from a variety of topics on our website of Catholic Faith-building articles. What do you need today?
Visit wordbytes.org.
God bless you!
Every morning, I lift up in prayer everyone who helps Good News Ministries in any way (donors, volunteers, prayer supporters, etc.) and all the prayer requests posted on our site. What can I cover in prayer for you? Post your prayer request.
How else can the team and I serve you today? Visit our homepage.
Thank you for reading this newsletter.
Your servant in Christ,
Bill Snyder, Executive Director
Good News Ministries
gnm.org
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How to Win Victories in Spiritual Warfare
Knowing God’s Will and Doing it Well
Lessons from the Blessed Mother
Daily Prayers with the Saints