CONNECTING POINT: Unknown Heroes

We all love heroic stories of individuals who gave their all. Sadly, after last week’s historic event of the attempt to assassinate former President Trump, Corey Comperatore gave his life to protect his family in the crossfire. Some heroes pay the ultimate price.

Recently, I came across an unknown named Florence Chadwick; she was a long-distance swimmer who successfully crossed the English Channel both ways. She was the first woman ever to accomplish this feat. In 1952 Florence set out to swim from Catalina Island to the California coast, a grueling 26-mile journey. The weather was cold and foggy, after 15 hours of swimming the fog was so thick she gave up her goal. Upon getting out of the water and into the boat, she discovered that the shoreline was only 1.5 miles away. At the press conference the following day, Florence said, “All I could see was the fog… if I could have seen the shore, I would have made it.”

In life, some circumstances challenge us to give up. The Christian journey can also be difficult, sometimes as people we can question God and His plans or ways. We are tired and weary at other times, and our faith is tested. We have great examples of people of faith in the Bible, most notably the “Heroes of Faith” in Hebrews chapter 11. However, many “unknown” heroes grace the pages of the Bible—men and women who gave their all because of their faith in Jesus. “Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and holes in the ground.”

Here’s a candid question for you: Are you okay with being unnoticed or unknown? As a follower of Jesus, do you live for attention? These unknown people mentioned in the Bible are truly inspiring; they never gave up!

Kyle Idleman said, “As long as you see yourself as a victim, you will never have a shot at victory.” He is so right; sometimes, we don’t like to hear the “hard truths” of our faith. Kyle adds, “If the question of getting over your victim mentality causes you to get defensive, there might be a problem.”

A Biblical understanding of faith includes confidence in what we do not see and learning to acknowledge that life can be difficult; however, we can trust God to work things out for His good and glory.

An indicator of a victim’s mentality is a tendency to whine or complain. Also, there is an inclination to blame or criticize and a predisposition to be cynical or pessimistic.

As Christians we need to refrain from this type of mentality, God desires for us to take responsibility for our poor decisions or actions. Any person can play the “victim card,” but when we learn to gain perspective and see beyond the current circumstances, we can walk in victory. The next time you seem to lean towards focusing on the wrong, stop, take a breath, and refocus on some of the blessings you also see. Remember, Moses struggled with a speech impediment; however, God turned him into a spokesperson for the nation of Israel.