Are not always when you’re winning. I have been watching some of the Olympics, but the moments that have stuck with me have been when someone has not achieved the time they expected or things have gone wrong for them. I found myself empathising with the tears cried by a runner who expected to win and did not, or a cyclist whose legs gave up before he finished his race. I related to the dashed hopes and ruined expectations.

Thinking about those who are not riding home in victory. I wonder how they are living with the disappointment now. Have you got hurt from the past that you can’t shake off? Every day I notice the points when my legs shake and I get afraid of falling all over again. I’m sure every time the athletes set out to run another race, they have a similar battle.

There’s a great verse for that in Philippians 3: ‘But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.’

So, the challenge for us is to look away from the past and look forward to the better things that lie ahead. The surprising idea is that there might be something good for us in the future. I know that is very hard to believe, but can you dare to expect good things in your future?

It is so easy to let bad things fuel your doubts about your future but let’s try. I hope the Olympians who came home with empty hands will find a different way to win. Coping with disappointment may build up strength to withstand the past memory of losing and go on to be a winner in the tomorrows ahead of you.

So today I will step out and be a winner in the small, unseen battles I face. Who’s with me?