Revised Edition – Part One
This has been one of the hardest series I have ever written.
I have been sitting on these pages for well over a year, unsure if I should share them. More than once, I almost kept them to myself. But with everything happening in our world today, and after much prayer, I believe the time has come.
This is not just another story. It is one of the most personal battles I have ever written about. It takes me back to one of the darkest moments of my life, when everything seemed to hang in the balance. My prayer is that, if you see yourself anywhere in these words, you will also see the grace of God waiting to meet you.
“Crazy thing is, out of all life done taught me… Before you get one win you gotta take a thousand losses.”
– Rob Wave –
Matthew 6:13 – English Standard Version
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
Some tables are covered with cards and chips. Others hold the weight of a soul. The Gambler is the true story of the greatest risk I ever faced, and the grace that met me there.
For seasoned card players, especially those who know poker, hands like a flush, full house, four of a kind, straight, or royal flush are signs of victory. These are among the strongest hands in the game and often lead to a win. For someone like me, though, whose card-playing experience is mostly limited to solitaire and being the unlucky target of a game of 52 Pick-Up, I would be completely out of my league. I would either lose right away or have no idea what was happening.
I am not a gamer. I do not play card games or gamble, and I am not much into video games either. The main reason is simple. I hate losing. If I do not think I can win, or at least earn a little bragging rights, I would rather not play. I do not like risking my time or money without some hope of success. So I stay away from games where losing is part of the deal. Some might call it pride. For me, the thought of losing is simply hard to bear.
Losing has stirred anger and resentment in me, feelings I have been surrendering to the Lord because I am not proud of them. Some may call me a sore loser, but I see it differently. I am the kind of person who likes to know there is at least a chance of having the upper hand before making a decision.
Proverbs 24:16 – New Life Version
For a man who is right with God falls seven times, and rises again, but the sinful falls in time of trouble.
Gambling has become an addiction for many, and the lottery is a temptation we often cannot resist. News reports celebrate huge jackpots, and people talk about what they would do if they won. The excitement spreads quickly. People stand in line and spend money chasing a prize that almost never comes. The odds may be one in 175,223,510, yet we still believe that this could be our day. We keep hoping, dreaming, and trying, unwilling to let go of the possibility of hitting the jackpot.
C.S. Lewis quoted, “Don’t let your happiness depend on something you may lose.”
It is probably obvious that I have never been to Las Vegas. I am not even sure what I would do there besides drive around, take in the sights, eat, shop, and snap a few photos for Facebook. After that, I would probably start wondering if I could make the drive home the same day. I might pull the slot machine handle once or twice just because, “We are in Vegas, baby!” but it would not be a priority. The Gambler simply is not my thing. I have learned to value every dollar I receive. The most I ever risk is a two-dollar quick pick for Powerball, Mega Millions, or Lotto. I can live with losing five dollars without it affecting my finances.
But nine years ago, I took a seat at the gambler’s table. My life was on the line, and I had no idea who would walk away victorious. I found myself in a battle between God and Satan, where the stakes could not have been higher. This was war, and the consequences were real. I could lose everything, or I could come through with my life. I had never faced a wager so great, yet deep inside I knew this was my only choice. I placed my life on the table and prayed for mercy.
Join me in Part Two as we go deeper into the story of The Gambler.
To Be Continued …
Coming Soon – Part Two –
Willie Torres Jr.
7/23/2026
@BeingCrazyForChrist
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