Oh my goodness! This is a brilliant concept. When I heard someone say it, I saw the greatness in its meaning. “Learn how to lose.” To think that this title can be taken literally, but also in a totally separate way is quite interesting. How is this you say? In one way you would likely never say “Learn how to lose” because this wouldn’t be the intended goal! The second view is one that focuses more on the “how-to” from the perspective of, learning how to react and also how to respond to losing. Hmmm….
A GAME LOSS
These words “Learn how to lose” grabbed my attention quickly following my youngest son’s basketball game where they lost 41 to 8 a year ago. During the game, many turnovers, air-balls, bad passes, and trouble dribbling were all happening with the team collectively. Now, of course, it’s natural for frustration to set in. I’ve seen in many games, wherewith older players exchanged inappropriate words, hands were thrown up as if to say, “What’d I do!?”, “Why!?” or “That wasn’t a foul!”, another expressed “. Players faced the embarrassment of playing one moment and benched very quickly the next. And of course, having to face the rumbling holler from the crowd following the winning buzzer-beater, three-point shot can cause major emotional disrupt. This ending became the tied-up game you now lost, and crushes the bit of hope there was left. I mean….. it can be tough. It can make you want to growl and complain at the reality of the score with attitude and or sadness. Sometimes life hollers in your face when you’ve tried and you’ve failed but the question is how did you learn from it????
It was my son’s coach who said the words “learn how to lose”. “Naw…. we learn how to WIN! and win only”, most would say. Not so in this case. Learn how to lose so you can know how to win and lose. The fact is you’re going to have to face both. If you don’t know how to learn how to lose you may stay shook and shook will distract you for the next time around. Let’s talk about this amazing lesson.
ARE YOU A POOR LOSER?
Proverbs 11:2 NIV- When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
A poor loser, as they say, is someone who becomes very angry or upset with the outcome in a competitive match. For some, the idea of losing is unfathomable because they’re just too stubborn to admit that someone did better than them that time around. Another may become so fixed on their loss that they cannot face their opponents with a feeling of fair acknowledgement.
Be careful of thinking you’re too good to be beaten and you’re no match for many. Also, be careful of pointing the blame on others and not admitting to your foul play. It’s best to find peace in your losses. You never know, sooner or later, you could be on the opposite side of a loss, winning and would want others to show that same respect in your position.
Proverbs 14:30 NIV– A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Remember when the play clock sounds and you lose, the game is over but the play clock of your life is your heart, and if it’s not over, neither is your life. Celebrate the opportunity to have another chance to move towards your greater goals!
4 WAYS TO LEARNING HOW TO LOSE
Learn How to React- in a way where you still carry yourself with class, strength yet humility. Keep your head up, away from self-pity but rather towards truthful self-assessment.
Learn How to Respond- to people by congratulating the other team or opponent when given the opportunity. Mean well and without ill-feelings during their moment of reward.
Learn How to Receive- the coming constructive criticism and evaluation of others. Yes I know……. As if yours wasn’t enough…
Learn How to Revisit- your inadequacies or failures by facing them responsibly. Learn from it by changing your approach for next time and making the necessary adjustment.
Proverbs 1:5 NIV- Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.
CONCLUSION
Whether you lost at a game, a job, a marriage, or life’s biggest opportunity, first of all, God knows all, sees all, and is with you through it all. You can lose over and over again and be complacent, which limits your progression or you can learn how to lose and become STRONGER for your up and coming anticipated WIN in the days ahead!s
