In the Arena?

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt

Be an encouragement to those in the arena; or better, join them in the arena. Life can be tough — it’s better when it’s fought with someone alongside you. The context or circumstances that people may be dealing with was highlighted to me as I read “Same Kind of Different as Me” and “Shattered Dreams.” We rarely now the battles of others. In the beginning, God declared that it was not good for man to be “alone.” We need people in our lives who are on mission with us. Some will be warriors, some will be helpers, some will be in need, some will be providers ... God granted us gifts and talents. We have various experiences. When we use these together on mission with God, we can be “more than conquerors.” Better a conqueror than a critic. See you in the arena.

[Reference valiant warrior]