Your Comeback Story is Being Written

Sitting on the plane with a window seat, I couldn't help but notice the big, burly man being squeezed in the middle seat next to me. The arm rest we were to share quickly became HIS as the muscles in his arms were larger than my thigh. He was enthralled as he watched the Masters golf tournament on the small tv screen on the seat in front of him. My seat mate had a hand towel draped over his lap which made me wonder if he anticipated sweating during our three-and-a half hour flight. 

As Tiger Woods' golf ball went into the hole to seal his 5th Masters championship, the man with a United States Air Force ring on his pinky finger collapsed next to me crying. He laid his face in his towel and wept alligator tears. Granted, I know nothing about golf, but I had to wonder why he was so crazy emotional about Tiger Woods' win? It was obvious Tiger's road to victory struck an all too familiar chord with him. It was a come back he could relate to.

After we landed, I began to read the commentaries regarding Tiger's win and what made it so special. Most of the articles explained his bouts with drunk driving which began when he crashed his car on Thanksgiving in 2009, leading to revelations of serial infidelity, the breakup of his marriage and years of struggling to overcome sex addiction and debilitating back pain. Tiger had been going through these challenges for 10 years and said as recently as two years ago at the Masters dinner for champions, "I'm done." 

If we were standing at the foot of the cross when Jesus was crucified, we would've thought he was "done", too. How could he save himself? How could his broken, bloodied, beat up body ever be put together again even though he told his disciples he would die and rise again? (Mark 9:31) I can tell you how: But God. There are numerous 'But God' verses in the Bible, but one of my favorites is Genesis 50:20 when Joseph tells his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done.." 

Reading the negative press about Woods got me thinking how I would feel if I were in his shoes? A crisis may have changed his life, but Tiger didn't let it ruin his life. If people can't kill your dreams, they will attempt to assassinate your character with the mistakes and choices you've made in the past. Don't even worry about it. God has you covered on all sides. 

"Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light." Micah 7:8

If we focus on the hurt, we will continue to suffer. Yet if we focus on the lessons learned, we continue to grow. Don't waste your suffering. Allow God to make you rise above it as He intends it for good. Yes, even your failed, good intentions  and decisions. Failure in your past doesn't negate the purpose in your future.

Your comeback story is being written!