We are getting close to the start of the NFL season and that means even more Fantasy Football drafts will be taking place over the next week or so.
Successful Fantasy owners have spent time preparing for their draft by researching sleepers, projected breakout stars, and rookies ready to make an impact.
We read about different kinds of strategies to implement during the draft and read best practices for when to select certain positions or specific players. Tools such as “average draft position” (ADP) help us with our knowledge before the draft begins.
For those of us that have been playing Fantasy Football for a long time (I’m heading into my 17th season), we have adopted certain draft principles over the years and have come up with a plan for how we want to approach the upcoming Fantasy season.
Oftentimes, this means we determine we’re going to draft two running backs in the first three rounds and maybe wait to take a quarterback, and then target upside tight ends in the middle rounds.
There is nothing wrong with having that kind of plan, but what makes Fantasy Football drafts so fun is the unpredictability and surprises that take place throughout.
We can’t perfectly predict what every other owner in the league is going to do when they are on the clock during the draft and that means our plans can quickly go awry.
If we’re expecting to take a certain running back in the second round and the owner right before us drafts him, then we have to adjust. If owners draft the same position for multiple picks in a row in the same round and we were planning on waiting a little longer to take that position, we may need to reevaluate and adapt to the way the draft is going.
Of course, we want to plan and prepare, but we don’t want to be so stubborn or so rattled that we don’t remain fluid or unwilling to be adaptable.
I believe being adaptable translates to our own lives, as well. We know that life is constantly changing and each new season brings a different set of challenges, so we can either decide to be frustrated, stubborn, and hopeless…or embrace and adjust to what’s in front of us.
As followers of Jesus, we want to remain fluid and go the direction He’s leading us, even if it’s different than what we initially expected. Another way to be adaptable is to remain content and satisfied in Him – regardless of the season we’re in, and even when our plans go awry.
Paul gives us a great example of this when he shares his secret in Philippians 4:11-13 (AMP): “Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances.
“I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need.
“I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]”
The best Fantasy Football owners are victorious because of their consistent adaptability and willingness to remain fluid during the draft as well as the season.
Today, regardless of our situation or season and especially when our plans are altered, let’s learn to be adaptable and always satisfied and content in Jesus.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to embrace changed plans and understand that You’re using me and teaching me in different ways during each circumstance. I ask that I’d adapt and remain content and satisfied in You. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
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What aspects of your life do you have the hardest time adapting to?
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What season are you in right now – abundance or in need?
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How would being satisfied and content in Jesus help you to adapt?
