Overcoming Failure: A True Story
The following information is the true life story of a person who faced a series of setbacks, misfortunes, failures, and disappointments and persevered!
| AT AGE | EVENT |
| Birth | Born into poverty in a very rural and poor area of the country. |
| 7 | Family forced out of their home; he went to work to support his family. |
| 9 | Mother died unexpectedly when she was quite young. |
| 9-34 | Unable to attend school; he received no formal education. |
| 22 | Failed in business. |
| 23 | Fired from his first job. |
| 23 | Ran for public office – and lost. |
| 24 | Borrowed money; started a business; it failed; took 17 years to repay it. |
| 25 | Ran for the same public office – but this time he won. |
| 26 | Engaged to be married; his fiancé died suddenly. |
| 27 | Had a nervous breakdown; in bed for 6 months; depressed periodically. |
| 29 | Ran for an important job as a political leader – and lost. |
| 31 | Ran for a different public office – and lost. |
| 34 | Ran for the political office he previously had won – and lost. |
| 37 | Ran for this same office again – and won. |
| 40 | Ran for re-election – and lost. |
| 43 | Applied for a political job – and was rejected. |
| 45 | Ran for an important political office – and lost. |
| 49 | Ran for this same political office a second time – and lost. |
| 51 | Elected President of the United States |
The person was the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln.
© 2011 Designed to Serve®
Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.
