Probably the =
greatest example of persistence is Abraham Lincoln. Born into poverty, =
Lincoln was faced with defeat throughout his life. He lost eight =
elections, twice failed in business and suffered a nervous breakdown. He =
could have quit many times – but he didn’t and because he didn’t quit, =
he became one of the greatest presidents in the history of our =
country. Lincoln was a champion because he never gave up. =
Here is a =
sketch of Lincoln’s road to the White House:
·  =
; =
1816 His =
family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support =
them.
·  =
; =
1818 His =
mother died.
·  =
; =
1831 Failed in =
business.
·  =
; =
1832 Ran for =
state legislature – lost.
·  =
; =
1832 Also lost =
his job – wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get =
in.
·  =
; =
1833 Borrowed =
some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year =
he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this =
debt.
·  =
; =
1834 Ran for =
state legislature again – won.
·  =
; =
1835 Was =
engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was =
broken.
·  =
; =
1836 Had a =
total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six =
months.
·  =
; =
1838 Sought to =
become speaker of the state legislature – =
defeated.
·  =
; =
1840 Sought to =
become elector – defeated.
·  =
; =
1843 Ran for =
Congress – lost.
·  =
; =
1846 Ran for =
Congress again – this time he won – went to Washington and did a good =
job.
·  =
; =
1848 Ran for =
re-election to Congress – lost.
·  =
; =
1849 Sought =
the job of land officer in his home state – =
rejected.
·  =
; =
1854 Ran for =
Senate of the United States – lost.
·  =
; =
1856 Sought =
the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention – =
got less than 100 votes.
·  =
; =
1858 Ran for =
U.S. Senate again – again he lost.
·  =
; =
1860 Elected =
president of the United States.
~~
Dr Bob Griffin =
[email protected] www.grif.net =
"Jesus Knows Me, This I =
Love!"