“TROUBLED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?”
Ever have a gloomy holiday season? Be encouraged, you’re not alone. A famous American General passed through his darkest valley during one Christmas season.
In 1776 Thomas Paine had written, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Never truer words, especially for General George Washington especially as the holiday season approached.
Things could not have been worse for the Commander and Chief of the fledgling Colonies in December of 1776. General Washington had not won a single victory in the War for Independence. He had been driven from the field at the Battle of Long Island and had narrowly escaped total destruction at New York. From battlefield casualties, expired enlistments, disease and desertion, Washington had lost ninety percent of his forces. Popular support for the American cause stood only at thirty-three percent – the same proportion of the country that favored British rule.
On top of the gloomy strategic picture was Washington’s personal suffering from the criticism and schemes of subordinates. Three of his generals Horatio Gates, Charles Lee, and Thomas Conway, all British-born, had served in foreign commands and two had attained the rank of general officers. These men all openly criticized Washington and believed themselves far better qualified for his job.
And now Washington was in retreat, west of the Delaware River, with the vestiges of his ill-clad, ill-equipped and ill-fed, demoralized Army. In a letter to his brother, Washington confessed, “I think the game is pretty near up.” But no letter revealed the depths of his despair as did this note to his cousin, Lund Washington.
“If I were to wish the bitterest curse to an enemy on this side of the grave, I should put him in my stead with my feelings and yet I do not know what plan of conduct to pursue. I see the impossibility of serving with reputation, or doing any essential service to the cause by continuing in command, and yet I am told that if I quit the command, inevitable ruin will follow… In confidence, I tell you that I never was in such an unhappy, divided state since I was born.”
But Washington knew that the country needed more than popular support for the war to be won. America needed leadership – leadership to exercise courage and commitment to the cause in the face of such a crisis.
In a bold move, Washington pulled off a surprise attack on the Hessian Regiment at Trenton on Christmas Day and won a stunning victory – capturing over 900 Hessian soldiers, and suffering only two American casualties. Less than two weeks later (on January 2-3, 1777) Washington won two more victories against British forces under General Cornwalis at Trenton and Princeton. These decisive American victories so boosted the morale of the country that within weeks 8,000 new recruits enlisted and reenergized the Army to fight on. Six more years of bloody fighting would follow. But Washington had learned the lesson – that everyone passes through deep, dark valleys of despair, but we will once again reach the heights of joy. He also learned that courage and perseverance in the face of conflict and danger will gain the inevitable triumph.
If this holiday season presents you with some challenging tasks, then be encouraged from the example of a brother in arms from the past. Consider also the encouragement from the Scripture: “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, New Living Translation)
PRAYER: Dear Father in heaven, when people and circumstances are against me, please give me the courage and strength to do what is right and fulfill the work You’ve called me to do. Amen.
(From The Sustainer’s Faith)