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Key Bible Verse: There will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way (Hebrews 12:11). Bonus Reading:1 Corinthians 9:24–27

Pete Sampras was asked to name the most important match he'd ever played at the U.S. Open. The four-time Open champ chose the 1992 final, a match he lost to Stefan Edberg in a tough four-setter.

It was a terrible disappointment—one that most of us would choose to forget if it had happened to us. But Sampras sees that loss as a major turning point in his career. As he explains, "Before that match, I didn't hate to lose." The bitterness of the loss provided Sampras with the motivation he needed to get his game into full gear. It inspired him to discipline himself and give his best effort all the time. Before the Edberg match, Pete was a "one-hit wonder." Now—with 13 Grand Slam titles to his name—he's in the running for "Best Player in the History of the Game."

There are some things we all have to learn the hard way, and one is that we need discipline. We need the correction of losses and of helpful advice from others. In the Christian life, the true champions are the ones who learn from these experiences—and then allow Christ to help them grow stronger because of the tough times.

—Christin Ditchfield in Power Up!

My Response: Here's what I learned one time when I felt God's correction. …

Thought to Apply: A man of character. … finds [that] only by coming to grips with difficulty can he realize his potentiality.

—Charles de Gaulle (French soldier and statesman)

Adapted from: Sports Spectrum/Power Up! (1-2/01) by permission.

Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Wise Father, keep me from getting sidetracked by setbacks. Instead, prod me to grow by overcoming them.

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