Posted on by Emily Gernaat

When The Wrong People Win

Last week I went to see the Movie Aquaman in theatre. I have to admit, I haven’t made time to watch TV or movies in a really long time, which had me feeling like an Amish kid seeing a moving picture for the first time. I was glued to the movie, and I left feeling kind of gratified. Because just as I had hoped, good triumphed over evil. The underdog clinched the victory and the whole movie was tied up in a neat little bow in the end.

It struck me how relieved I was after watching the ending. Then it occurred to me a few days later why it meant so much to me.

Nowadays, the lines between good an evil have become so fuzzy. The world is one giant gray area of differing beliefs and lifestyles.

As someone who still believes in hard lines between right and wrong, I’m often put in a position that I don’t want to be. Making the choice between the easy thing and the right thing.

It has been pretty eye opening moving to the south, in the heart of barrel racing country and seeing the ugly side of the industry in full view.

My endless optimism and love for horses and this sport had me blinded going into it.

But here is the plain truth, a lot of terrible people win. They win championships, titles, buckles, trailers, money.. you name it, they have won it. They get the sponsorships, they get the wealthy investors backing them, they get the whole thing.

I’d be lying if I told you it doesn’t make my blood boil a little. I’m in the underdog category, and I just want to see underdogs win.

But here is the thing. I have spent the last two weeks reeling over what part of this industry I fit into and where God can really use me. And today I read Psalm 37..

“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”

What struck me most was “take delight in the Lord, and he will GIVE YOU THE DESIRES of your heart.”

I think I have read that verse wrong for years. In my shallow little head I thought, so if I desire a black corvette, then surely the Lord will deliver on that right? Or what about that own son of Dash Ta Fame I have been eyeballing?

What I’m realizing now is that the Lord is putting NEW desires in my heart. Righteous desires, real, fulfilling, godly desires that only come from taking delight in Him.

When that transformation happens, my desires to win a gold buckle or a million dollar check slowly fade away and are replaced with the desire to serve, to be a good steward of the horses in my care, to develop my skills, and to add value to other people’s lives.

When those desires are placed at the forefront of my mind, then success will just be a side effect of walking in faith and chasing the godly desires that Jesus puts in my heart.

So to answer the question of where do I belong in this industry? I belong where I can serve people, develop great horses and add value to horses and owners alike.

So whether good or bad people are winning, in the end it doesn’t matter much. Base your success and fulfillment on Godly desires and every day you will be winning at life.

If you found this encouraging, please pass it along! ❤️

Check out my latest post You Don’t Have the Talent

Keep in touch with me on Instagram @emilygernaat !

27 Replies to “When The Wrong People Win”

      1. Wow! You ve really got it💗 So many people are just so lost they ll never find their way and that is sad. I have a love for my horses, some registered, some not but I thank God every day I have them. They enrich our lives in so many ways. Best wishes to you always. You are headed the right direction💗👍

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  2. All you have to do play game with integrity and moral values and God will take care of the Cheaters. Thanks for writing this article and hopefully and prayerfully people will change!!

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  3. Thank you for this! Much isn’t said when it should especially in our industry! The horses don’t have a voice! You put this in a way it can be well received! Thank you and God Bless

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  4. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. Never put it into words but you took the words right out of my mouth. I’ve let someone one take my passion away. Taken what was once my passion and my love for horses and the sport of barrel racing. I cringed at going and riding, after reading this I will put my trust in God and pray for those and strength and run for “I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.” Thanks again…..

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  6. You have touched so many competitive hearts with this thoughtful, well written article. I pray that all the right people will read and benefit from it’s wisdom. Thank you for putting to paper what needed to be said. It’s amazing how God uses us!

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  7. Wow you said that succinctly. And my favorite verses. One version says” when I make the Lord my delight, He impregnates me with Holy desire” It’s all about focus, and you are to be commended for saying this.

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  8. It is sad how alot people good and bad alike just pick alot of these winners based on money and or who knows who not on performance and at first it may not be noticeable however it always comes down to this in most cases.But this is a very good way to keep faith and enjoy what your goal is in life for you are able to look beyond …

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  10. Pingback: Gray World Of Today – AHAmoments

  12. Having just experienced the horribly ugly side of horse ownership (finding out one of my old barrel horses was in a Texas kill pen), I was blessed with His grace and strength to get me through (we were able to pay the exorbitant “extortion fee” to buy him back and he will never have to run barrels again (his previous owners blew his mind), nor will he ever have to worry about going back to a kill pen. God made sure my old horse was the good winner verses the evil greedy people. Thank you so much for your wonderful article, I relate to it on several levels.

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    2. MY HEART WANTS 2 JUST CRY 4 U…PRAISE THE LORD U WERE ABLE 2 REUNITE W/HIM !! U R HIS SAVIOR !! WE WERE IN THE LOCAL, CITY WSCA SHOWS..MY DAUGHTER,AS A JUNIOR WENT 2 OK. 4 NATIINALS & WE DIDN’T C WHAT I KNOW GOES ON IN SCOTSDALE, ETC….WE CAN ONLY PRAY THAT GOD WILL ONE DAY CHG THEIR WAYS OF HOW THEY GET PLEASURE FROM THEIR HORSES…NOT ALL ABOUT THE WIN !! IT’S ALL,ALL,ALL ABOUT THE LOVE..💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝

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  13. This applies to every aspect in ones life. The righteous shall prevail. Trust in Him and the success you experience is truly a byproduct. Awesome! It doesn’t ever sit well with me when you realize how many people are envious your success. They want to see you fail, most of the time it is your biggest cheerleaders. They don’t realize that your real success is having faith in the Lord.

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  14. I am not in the horse world, may never even ride a horse again, yet your story is applicable in all areas of life. That is part of God’s genius. Thank you. My husband and I are facing “retirement” with nothing to retire with and the future is unknown. Your message from the Word is encouraging.

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  15. I am glad that you are heartened, and your beautiful writing has obviously helped so many people, as evidenced by their comments here. If you have seen the ugly, vicious and cruel side of your sport, I encourage you to do what you can to change it, whether by rules in the industry or in laws. I think the best way you can honour God is to help his helpless creatures as much as you can. You sound as if you are in a position to do some good from the inside. I wish you well.

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