In December 1776, the American Revolution was on the brink of collapse.
George Washington’s Continental Army had suffered one crushing defeat after another. His soldiers were exhausted, hungry, poorly equipped, and vastly outnumbered. Morale was at an all-time low. Many had lost hope, and some questioned whether the cause of American independence could survive.
It was during this dark chapter in American history that Thomas Paine penned the words that would echo through the centuries:
“These are the times that try men’s souls.”
Those words seem especially fitting today.
Tuesday’s election results brought deep disappointment to many of us who have devoted so much of our lives to the pro-life cause. The defeat of Amendment 3 in Missouri, coupled with electoral setbacks across the country, has left many feeling discouraged, frustrated, and uncertain about what comes next.
But history offers us an important perspective.
On Christmas night in 1776, when the American cause seemed all but lost, George Washington led his weary army across the icy Delaware River. Against extraordinary odds, they secured a victory at Trenton that helped restore hope to a struggling nation.
That victory did not end the war. In fact, nearly five more years of hardship and sacrifice lay ahead. But it reminded Americans that defeat was not inevitable and that their cause was not finished.
There is a lesson in that history for all of us.
The outcome of an election can change laws, alter political leadership, and create significant obstacles. But it cannot, by itself, settle the deeper questions of conscience, conviction, and human dignity that shape our society.
We must also recognize that perseverance alone is not enough. We must be willing to examine what went wrong, learn from our setbacks, listen to those who disagree with us, and find better ways to communicate what we believe.
Lasting change requires more than winning elections. It requires changing hearts and minds, building relationships, and earning the trust of the people we hope to reach.
The American Revolution was not won in a single battle, nor was it lost in its darkest hour.
And the future of the pro-life movement will not be determined by a single election.
Today, disappointment is understandable. Tomorrow, the work of rebuilding begins.
Let history remind us that some of the most consequential turning points have come when hope seemed nearly lost.
Our challenge is not simply to persevere, but to emerge from this setback wiser, stronger, and more determined to make a meaningful difference.
These are the times that try men’s souls. They are also the times that reveal the depth of our convictions.
