LeBron James, one of the most accomplished NBA players in history, moved to fifth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list last night – passing Wilt Chamberlain.
The Lakers have now won four in a row after James led his team to a win over the Trail Blazers with 44 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists.
We’ve never seen a player like James when you consider his size, speed, and ability to get to the rim. He’s hard to stop when he gets into the paint for high percentage shots, but he also ends up getting fouled a lot. Last night he had 15 shots from the free throw line.
The reality is, not every foul is called when he gets hit from every side with defenders trying to slow him down. Repeatedly dealing with getting smacked and pushed, while trying to get to the hoop, has got to be frustrating.
Even though LeBron can be guilty of whining to the refs, he’s been taught how to handle the uncalled fouls. He told The Athletic:
“My Little League coaches always told me stop crying or complaining about a foul, just play through it. Try to make the bucket and control what you can control. I get fouled a lot. Sometimes it’s called, sometimes it’s not, but I’ve got to still maintain my focus because there’s so much more of the game to be played.”
We understand that’s the right perspective, but like LeBron, we struggle with our own complaints about the “fouls” in life. When we try to make a “move to the basket,” sometimes things get in our way and hit us left and right.
Often, it’s the little “slaps” that drive us crazy. How many times do we lose our focus, get annoyed or start whining over issues with our car or house or some form of technology?
When we allow these “fouls” to distract us and take us out of our rhythm, it can ruin our day or week. But as LeBron’s Little League coach reminds us, “Try to make the bucket and control what you can control.”
Not every call goes LeBron’s way on the floor and not every detail goes our way throughout the day. Like LeBron said, however, “I’ve got to still maintain my focus because there’s so much more of the game to be played.”
When we find ourselves having an unfocused mindset filled with complaining and whining, we’re letting the enemy win.
Scripture is clear when it says, “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people” (Philippians 2:14-15; NLT).
Complaining takes away our joy and thankfulness and can knock us off course. There are always going to be times when we get fouled on our way to the basket, but whining about it doesn’t help.
Instead, let’s stay focused on Jesus…remaining on His path, filled with gratefulness – even as the hits come on all sides.
As we “maintain our focus,” let’s be encouraged by Proverbs 4:25-26 (AMP): “Let your eyes look directly ahead [toward the path of moral courage]. And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you [toward the path of integrity]. Consider well and watch carefully the path of your feet, and all your ways will be steadfast and sure.”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, there are times I get so frustrated by the annoyances of life and the day to day struggles. Please provide me with joy and peace during these times. Help me not to lose focus or allow the hits to take me down. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
