Winning in defeat

Bob Russell April 27, 2019

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Although this year’s NCAA basketball tournament has passed into history, the results offer us some interesting lessons that will last for a long time. March Madness stirs dreams of victory and a national championship, and yet most participants experience disappointment.

The tournament began in mid-March with 68 teams. When it ended in early April, 67 of those teams had lost, and more than 800 college basketball players were heartbroken. While the dozen members of the championship team from the University of Virginia need to be gracious in victory, character is most tested and most evident by one’s attitude in defeat.

Struggle of faith

King David won many victories. But he also experienced the torment of being beaten in battle. Notice when you read Psalm 13 that David maintained his faith in God even though the struggle didn’t go his way:

“How long,  Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, 'I have overcome him,' and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord's praise, for he has been good to me." 

During this year’s NCAA tournament, I was really impressed with the character of two Christian coaches who kept their faith in defeat. Both coaches set an inspirational example for the young men God entrusted to them by demonstrating how to accept defeat and go on with what is most important in life.

Overcoming setbacks 

Tony Bennett, the coach of the University of Virginia, experienced a humiliating defeat in last year’s tournament. While they won it all in 2019, last year the #1 seeded Cavaliers were upset in the first round by a No. 16 seed. It was the biggest upset in tournament history; indeed, it was one of the biggest upsets of all time, since a top seed had never lost before in the tournament.

As a result, Bennett was the target of considerable ridicule and criticism. It would have been easy for him to become defensive and bitter, or just quit altogether. However, Bennett is a dedicated Christian who seeks to be a godly influence on his players. 

Following last year’s crushing defeat he told his team, “If you learn to use [adversity] right, it will buy you a ticket to a place you couldn’t have gone any other way.”

This year Virginia overcame the stigma of that humiliating loss and the adversity of the additional pressure. Not only did they make the Final Four, when the dust had settled the Cavaliers had won the national championship. 

I hope they continue to do well and Tony Bennett has an expanded platform in the future to share his faith. He has used his position to positively influence the young men God entrusted to him by maintaining his composure and his testimony in defeat—a lost that prepared him for victory.

Heartfelt prayer

I was even more impressed this year with the coach of another Virginia school that wasn’t expected to go very far. Coach Buzz Williams ended his career at Virginia Tech with class when his team suffered a heartbreaking two-point loss to Duke in a Sweet 16 game.

Take a moment to watch Coach William’s heartfelt prayer for his three graduating seniors in the locker room after that agonizing defeat. Williams is leaving Virginia Tech to become the head coach at Texas A&M. But listen to his passionate prayer for the three seniors who just played their final game under his leadership and departed following a gut-wrenching loss.

These are the types of leaders that progressives are attempting to silence because they pose such a threat to the freedom and future of America. Really? You be the judge about the kind of people you think are best equipped to guide our nation’s youth. Then, rededicate yourself to being the kind of leader who will help shape the morals and beliefs of our most precious asset. 

Photo source: istock 

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Bob Russell became the pastor of Southeast Christian Church at just 22 years old. That small congregation of 120 members became one of the largest churches in America, with 18,000 people attending the four worship services every weekend in 2006 when Bob retired. Now through Bob Russell Ministries, Bob continues to preach at churches; conferences throughout the United States, provide guidance for church leadership, mentor other ministers and author Bible study videos for use in small groups. Learn More »

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