George Washington learned the risks and dangers of war early in his military career. Death or serious injury were his constant companions on the battlefield. Furthermore, the specter of defeat often threatened him and his soldiers with disgrace and imprisonment by the enemy.
Risky Business
During one military loss in the French and Indian War in 1755, Washington volunteered as an aid to British Major General Edward Braddock. Four enemy bullets ripped holes through Washington’s coat. More bullets killed two of his horses beneath him. Washington escaped the battle without harm, while Braddock was fatally wounded.
Washington experienced his share of defeats as his military career continued. Shortly after being promoted to the rank of colonel in 1754, he, along with 400 men, was forced to surrender Fort Necessity in Pennsylvania to the French and Indians.
Other significant defeats came as Washington commanded American armed forces in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain. One came in 1776 at New York City. Another came in 1777 when Washington lost a critical battle at Brandywine Creek, Pennsylvania. This loss forced him and his troops to surrender control of Philadelphia, the U.S. capital city at that time.
Defeat’s What If List
Washington lost more battles than he won in the Revolutionary War. He commanded an army which fell short in supplies, discipline and leadership experience and even lacked the confidence of the Continental Congress which had commissioned him. Some congressional leaders considered replacing him. If these losses were not grounds enough for discouragement, the dropping morale and desertions of his soldiers should have been enough to convince him to quit.
Suppose after these losses Washington created a what-if list:
- “What if we lose another battle?”
- “What if I am injured?”
- “What if we lose more soldiers to desertion?”
- “What if my plan doesn’t work?”
- “What if our military runs out of resources?”
- “What if I fail again and lose the respect of my men?”
- “What if Britain wins the war?”
Roots of Persistence
History does not tell us if any of these thoughts crossed Washington’s mind, but it does remember him as someone who kept going until ultimate victory was won. His persistence was rooted in hope. Hope drove him to press through the potential risks and actual dangers, discouragements and losses he faced, rather than cowering beneath the paralyzing fear of what ifs.
In a world filled with danger, defeats and discouragement, the voices of what ifs will try to paralyze us. But Christians have an advantage. Our hope for victory in the present is not grounded in political leaders, election outcomes, environmental forces, economic projections or world affairs. It is anchored in Jesus’ death and resurrection in the past. The same power that overcame the ultimate loss (death) empowers us to live in victory each day.
Furthermore, the back of our Bibles assures us of ultimate victory in the future: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3–4)
Hopeful Living in a Despairing World
If these verses are true, then Christians should be the most hopeful people on the planet.
We are not oblivious to the brokenness in our world or even in our own lives. We experience sorrow and discouragement. We have to purchase medication and nutritional supplements to stay healthy. We suffer pain and losses, disappointments and heartbreak. But we see our present reality through a lens of future glory. Heaven — and Jesus — awaits. This world isn’t as good as it gets. Conversely, the worst we experience on earth is as bad as life will become. Hope in our ultimate victory changes our outlook.
And hope drives us to plow ahead toward an ultimate prize undimmed by present distresses, past defeats or future alarms. The news headlines may not improve on this side of eternity. Though all the wrong within our world attempts to douse us with despair, let us hold fast to our hope — because ultimate victory is coming.
Article by Cam Edwards
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