Win-Loss Record

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” James 1:2

In Auburn Alabama, there is a tree called the Toomer Tree that is decorated with toilet paper every time the Auburn Tigers win a football game. The tree is left bare when the Tigers lose a game.

On the outside the tree looks healthy. But recently, the tree was discovered to be dying from the inside. Ironically, the tree’s decline has been attributed to the frequent rolling and the clean-up required afterward. Sometimes our lives can be viewed the same. We can look good on the outside when the wins are in our favor while in reality we are dying inside.

Jesus wants the “full measure of His joy to dwell in us” despite our win-loss record and especially when the other team and world is against us. (John 17:13-14)

Do you find your life measured by a win-loss record? Does a loss steal your joy or do you persevere and find joy?