If I could sum up everything I’ve ever learned from pro wrestling in one sentence it would be this:

The face beats the heel. 

In wrestling terminology there are two types of characters – faces and heels.

The face (short for babyface) is the good guy. Think Hulk Hogan, The Ultimate Warrior, John Cena.

The heel is the villain. People like The Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase, Ric Flair, and Mr. McMahon were great heels.

Wrestling at it’s core is the story of a good guy versus a bad guy. Almost every single wrestling match in history consists of a face versus a heel. And the face beets the heel.

The heel may get the upper hand. He may vanquish a few good-hearted men along a path of destruction. But in the end the heel always goes down.

This is the cycle of wrestling, a never-ending story where the characters change but the outline stays the same each week.

When the face beats the heel, he gets no rest of course. Another villain is waiting in the wings to bring him down.

This heel will get his licks in too, like they all do. But the face will win.

He may not win at first. The face may have to call for back up.

When all is said and done the heel will eventually fall. He will get his comeuppance. He always does.

The story is stronger than anyone who dares challenge it.

It’s a story that’s kept audiences coming back time and time again for over a century. Even if you’re not a wrestling fan today, even if you never have been, you could get sucked right in by watching for 5 minutes. On a good wrestling show you’d be able to identify with the characters instantly.

That’s because the story at the heart of pro wrestling is the same story at the heart of life.

The story of this world we live in is the story of an epic wrestling match. This story too can be summed in up one sentence:

The light beats the darkness.

The darkness is a formidable opponent. The darkness pins the light down for long stretches of time. The darkness even snags a few victories in battle.

But the light wins the war.

The light overcomes in the main event.

You may not be a wrestling fan like me. But this is one lesson anyone can take comfort in from the squared circle.

If you’re doubting the outcome of the fight you’re currently in, remember this:

The face beats the heel. The light beats the darkness. Every single time. 

Night will no longer exist and people will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever. (Revelation 22:5)