Against All Odds!

Posted by Scott Williams
12 Comments
June 29, 2010
Kid Lessons | Leaders | Leadership | Life Application

All of us have heard the phrase, “It’s what’s on the inside that matters.” This phrase is uttered to children as early as grade school to help build them up from the negative comments from their elementary school peers. This same phrase finds it’s way weaving and bobbing through the various streets of life all the way to adulthood.

Let’s be honest and answer this tough question, “Is What’s On The Inside What Really Matters?”  I mean seriously we live in a world that screams what’s on the outside matters, appearance matters, bigger-better-faster matters and simply talking a good game matters.

Scripture teaches us otherwise, God doesn’t focus on what’s on the outside. It is what’s on the inside that matters most to Him. The Bible tells us that God’s focus is on developing what’s inside of us.  “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

It’s important to look at this scripture not only from the standpoint of beauty, but also from the perspective of having the heart of a winner.  It doesn’t matter if the cards of life are stacked against you and outwardly you would appear to have a limited shot at success.  If you have heart and inner determination, you will succeed.  Deep down inside you have to believe these words at their core, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

My 11 year old son is generally the smallest kid at every track meet, b-ball and and on the football field… he still fights like a scrappy Big Dog.  He competes, because he has heart.   Because of what’s on the inside, he sometimes forgets that he’s the smallest kid in the game.

What Do You Do When The Odds Are Stacked Against You? You have to do like my son and many others, forget the odds even exist, go Against All Odds.  It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, It’s the size of the fight in the dog. Go Fight… Against All Odds!

Share your Thoughts!  What Do You Do When The Odds Are Stacked Against You?

  • http://belindausa.wordpress.com/ Belinda E Belle

    Another great post.

    When the odds are stacked against me – no matter the situation – I’ve learned to always turn to God first and foremost.

    Just as he came through for Gideon against the Midianites, He HAS come through for me!

    • Scott Williams

      Amen, God First!

  • http://twitter.com/superman188 Fadi

    Scott, thank you for this post. I remember that verse from my senior year in high school (over a decade ago). You’re right about how to overcome the odds; the Bible tells us “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (New King James Version).

    But sometimes things are so ingrained in us; things like the need for societal approval, the importance of whats on the outside, the need to try and please everyone, etc. that it becomes so difficult to step outside the box and ignore the odds and just put everything we’ve got into whatever we’re doing. It takes a long time and consistent work to break that way of thinking.

    Thank you for your post Scott. Your words are inspirational and refreshing.

  • http://frozenlaughs.com heady

    I’m going with Belinda on this. You definitely want to seek God in all you do; this being the winning formula. Like your son Scott, you still need that inner confidence to take on the giant sometime. Believe in the God in YOU!

    • Scott Williams

      I’m More than A Conqueror Mentality… It starts w/ what he’s put inside of you!

  • http://cupplestherapy.blogspot.com Rachel Leah Soapapilla

    Just found you… loving this. Big Love From Lil Rach in Seattle!

  • Esther Rennick

    Thank you Scott! You are appreciated! Your articles are so helpful and often timely in my life.

    When the odds are stacked against me, one of the biggest challenges I face is fear. God is not the author of fear so I am learning I have to walk past my fears to move ahead and conquer. Hearing from God and knowing His heart is one thing but to actually get up and move past fear is a challenge I need God’s strength for and I have to choose to obey.

    I have been reading about Abraham – the father of faith. He obeyed and followed God; however, everytime he let his fears rule the day instead of what God said, Abraham ended up in situations that certainly were not successes.

  • Scott Williams

    Esther I always appreciate your comments… Keep it movin’ because you are right, God has not given you the spirit of fear!

  • http://www.marcmillan.com Marc Millan

    Nothing on the outside will get you past the finish line when you are exhausted or when you feel like quitting, it’s what’s inside. The Character, the will to win, the desire, the passion, the relentless undistracted purpose pushing you to move forward. That’s what’s inside every champion.
    2 Corinthians 4:7-9
    M_

  • http://www.marcmillan.com Marc Millan

    I meant to refer 2 Corinthians 4: 7-9.
    M_

  • Rocky La Marr

    Man, is this timely. In fact, I have not been able to sleep because of what happened at work today. It has been gnawing on me…Been pushing and learning about my new position, and how I can influence more people and get a “better” position. After the first round of interviews for a coaching position, I was told that I am doing the right things, I just need more time. Then, today, another co-worker, who admittedly knew less about our systems than I did, was asked to be a coach for our new employees! Even though I could answer more questions right than she did, and have far more experience leading people, I feel like the odds have been stacked against me.

    But this post sizes it all up – what God is at working doing, that is what really matters. I need to reconnect with that purpose.

    Thanks, Scott.

  • @TomMartinATL

    The timing of reading your post is quite incredible in that I’m sitting in the waiting room 2 hours prior to surgery. A place I had hoped I would never see again or at least, not so soon.

    I believe in all situations big or small, challenging or routine society would have us believe we have the fortitude to overcome whereas God wants us to know that in Him and through Him odds never matter only trusting in Him does.

    As I trust in Him for this second bout with Cancer I decided regardless of odds or situation a negative could become a positive with a little action on my part and by trusting God period with the rest.So this is where my story & charity water intersect.

    http://mycharitywater.org/LemonsIntoLemonade

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