Too many times we become discouraged and accept defeat.  One of the most famous race horses of all time was Man o'War.  As a two-year-old, Man o'War won six consecutive races.  Then in 1919, the camp came across a contender appropriately named Upset.  For the first time in his life, Man o'War trailed another horse across the finish line.

As is often the case when a champion goes down in defeat, there were the unusual circumstances that affected the situation.  On this occasion, an assistant starter was working the gate at the Saratoga race track, and the break from the barrier was delayed for about five minutes.  The champ, always nervous at the post, was dancing and bobbing his head, and when the field broke, the big red horse was off sideways, fifth in a seven-horse race.

A champion does not give up easily, and Man o'War was no exception.  He made a gallant try to close the gap.  By the time the race reached the halfway mark, the champ has already moved up to the fourth position.  He had gained the third position by the three quarter mark.  At the turn into the stretch, he moved clearly into second place.  Ten lengths from home and he was "nodding at Upset's saddle girth".  Given another two or three lengths, Man o'War would have been a clear winner.  But Upset won by the narrowest possible margin. 

When you read about that incident, you wish that the upset by Upset would of never of happened.  But sometimes in life we have our own "upsets".  Even after Man o'War's tragic upset, he went on to upset Upset and regain his title!! 

Missionary E. Stnaley Jones said that he had adopted the following mottow for life, "WHEN LIFE KICKS YOU....LET IT KICK YOU FORWARD!"  Anyone can start, but only a thoroughbred will finish. 

*Based on The Winning Attitude" by John Maxwell