How To Overcome The Ups And Downs Of Life

​1 Samuel 30:6 - “Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” 

• The Roller Coaster Life Of King David 

David has already been anointed the next king of Israel. The only trouble was King Saul would not relinquish his position on the throne.

David goes from being loved after killing Goliath to being hated by the king.

When the Israelites sing songs about David and he is praised to a greater degree than Saul, he becomes Saul's enemy.
 
In the passage above, David and his men left for a few days and while gone all their loved ones were taken captive by the Amalekites.
 
I Sam. 30:3-4 - When David and his men came to the city, behold, it was burned with fire, and their wives and their sons and their daughters had been taken captive.  Then David and the people who were with him lifted their voices and wept until there was no strength in them to weep.
 
Right after they are finished crying the people want to blame David and stone him. As you can see David's life is filled with ups and downs or highs and lows.

The point is your life will most likely be similar. You will have your highs and lows. 

• The Roller Coaster Life Of Dabo Swinney

 
If you are a college football fan then you are familiar with the name Dabo Swinney. He is the head coach of Clemson. Now if you happen to think man what a life he is living please allow me to give you a little background information about Coach Swinney.
 
From Wikipedia:  After the conclusion of the regular season, many fans called for the firing of both Swinney and athletic director Terry Don Phillips.[11] Swinney would say years later he expected to be fired after the regular season ended with a loss to South Carolina.[14] Don Phillips instead gave Swinney a vote of confidence and allowed him to return for the 2011 season.[15] 
 
Discontent with Swinney grew even more after a bowl loss to South Florida made Clemson's final record 6-7, Clemson's first losing season since 1998. Swinney, who was 19-15, entered the 2011 season widely considered to be a coach on the hot seat.[16] 
 
In 2011 Coach Swinney was on the HOT SEAT, in other words, he better have a great year or he would be fired.
 
I wonder if any of the Alumni are calling for him to be fired now. The answer is unequivocally NO.
 
I have said it for years it only takes 20 years to become an overnight success and if you are like Coach Swinney you can do it in half the time. Since 2014 Coach Swinney's record is 65-7 and he has won 4 ACC titles and 2 National titles. 

• Your Roller Coaster Life

 
There are a lot of different ways your life can be on a roller coaster.

King David and Coach Swinney's would have been work related ups and downs.

Your life's roller coaster may be with your health, finances, loss of loved ones or another way, the key is to keep your faith in God and you will overcome the ups and downs of this life.
 
King David strengthened himself in the Lord.

Coach Swinney gave all the glory to God and these are the correct formulas for us.
 
Give God the honor and glory for where He has us and we will be victorious.
 
Think About This:
 
Failure is the path of least persistence.
 
Often GENIUS is just another way of spelling perseverance.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago
 
Minister of God's Word