I’m sure most of us get a little discouraged at times. Many times I’ve felt like giving up. Life sometimes seems unfair, and we feel alone and hopeless. We question whether we have a purpose in life.

A few years ago, I read the following in a newsletter published by the University of Alabama’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes:

ABRAHAM LINCOLN – BIOGRAPHY OF A FAILURE

• Difficult childhood.

• Less than one year formal schooling.

• Failed in business in 1831.

• Defeated for legislature, ’32.

• Again failed in business, ’33.

• Elected to legislature, ’34.

• Fiancée died, ’35.

• Defeated for Speaker, ’38.

• Defeated for Elector, ’40.

• Married, wife a burden, 42.

• Only one of his four sons lived past the age of 18.

• Defeated for Congress, ’43.

• Elected to Congress, ’46.

• Defeated for Congress, ’48.

• Defeated for Senate, ’55.

• Defeated for Vice-President, ’56.

• Defeated for Senate, ’58.

• Elected President, ’60.

When former President Bush asked the country to join in a national day of prayer, he invoked the memory of Abraham Lincoln, who in the Civil War “turned to prayer, saying: ‘I’ve been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I have nowhere else to go.’”

President Abraham Lincoln evidently never gave up, realizing that his God had a purpose for his life. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest presidents of these United States.  

 If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477, or email hkeller@comcast.