It is said that victory or success has many fathers, but defeat or failure is an orphan. One has only to watch a sports event when a team is a winner—fans get more and more rabid it seems. This becomes “my team” for those on the sidelines, and we identify ourselves with it. Every team member wants the recognition of contributing to success, but with a losing team, the members usually try to pin the blame on something or someone else—often the officials.

Christ was forsaken by His followers when it seemed He was defeated. His victory gave birth to many “fathers.” Paul, too, was forsaken at times (2 Timothy 4:9-10).

Character is what is needed to remain faithful and loyal. When we can weather the lows of life as well as the highs, we will have become mature.