The Masters Tournament is one of the most prestigious in professional golf. In 2009, Kenny Perry placed second after leading during the final round.
Writing in The New York Times, Bill Pennington described Perry as “disappointed but not despondent” after the loss.
“I’ll look back on it occasionally and wonder what I might have done differently, but I won’t dwell on it,” Perry said. I won’t let it dog me. There are many other things in life that matter more . . . . I’ll go home tonight with my family and we’ll have fun.”
The ability to look beyond our disappointments is essential. Our focus determines how we face the victories and defeats in life.
"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1-2).
This way of thinking looks to Christ, rather than our achievements, for significance and validation. We seek Him, not success.
When we strive for excellence and give our best effort, losing hurts, but it doesn’t have to harm us. The key is where we set our minds and hearts.
Lord, thank You that You are the one who measures how we’ve done in life and determines
whether we’ve been successful. Help us to keep that focus even in disappointments.
whether we’ve been successful. Help us to keep that focus even in disappointments.
When Christ is the center of your focus, everything else comes into proper perspective.
-ODB
