This is the third installment of a five part series on living in your purpose. The central focus is to stay on track with your purpose even in the face of pain and difficultes. We are looking at Five Leadership Lessons learned learned from Willis Reed on how to prevent pain from distracting you from your purpose. Mr. Reed was injured during the 1970 NBA Championship Series, but decided to play in the final and pivotal game 7.

Reed had to miss game 6 of the championship series because of his leg injury. His team lost game 6 without him. It would have been easy for him to give up hope and say, "We lost game 6, and I am not sure if I can play in game 7."

Instead he kept searching for a way to play; he did not give up hope.

Leadership Principle 3. He did not give up hope. 

Have you ever been at the point in your life where it just didn’t make sense to keep going? You may have been trying to lose those last five pounds and they wouldn't budge. Sometimes you can hear the pounds singing from your waistline, “I shall not be moved." Your situation may be that you have taken a certification test more than once and haven't passed it. In the back of your mind you may be hearing a voice say “Just give up!”

Just like you, Mr. Reed saw the pain and the difficulties. However, he realized that it was more than a game — it was his life’s work, it was his passion. He had done so much to get to this point and his passion and his purpose would not allow his hope to die.

When your passion and your purpose are lined up, sitting on the bench in pain will run you up a wall. Other people may be able to sit there and watch the game go past them. You would rather be on the court with one good leg instead of watching life pass you by. You may only have half of what you need at this time to move forward, but you will not allow the pain to relegate you to the bench. You may not have the support of your spouse, friends or family, but you will not allow the pain to cause you to give up hope and stay on the bench.    

You don’t give up on your life’s work or your relationships because of a setback. You look at setbacks as a reason for a comeback.   

If you need some hope for your comeback, think about this:

Isaiah 40:31

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; They will run and not grow weary, They will walk and not be faint.