We are days away from this year’s Super Bowl between the Bengals and the Rams. When I think about the Cincinnati Bengals franchise and their fan base, I’m thrilled for them to experience the excitement of being in the Super bowl.

After all, it’s been 31 years since the Bengals have won a playoff game and 33 years since they played in a Super Bowl. Over the past few decades, the team has been trapped in mediocrity and unable to escape the first round of the playoffs.

They were stuck at home while other teams from their AFC North Division (Steelers and Ravens) won Super Bowls. With top draft picks not panning out and dealing with major injuries, they were confined to their losing ways.

Over the years, the Bengals couldn’t get out of their own way as they were held back by on-the-field penalties in key games and off-the-field issues for several players.

Thankfully, this version of the Cincinnati Bengals has overcome their team’s history. They’ve broken through and turned the corner by playing confident and free all the way to the Super Bowl.

On the other sideline, we see Rams starting quarterback, Matthew Stafford, also having been previously trapped. Drafted first overall by the Detroit Lions in 2009, he was stuck in a challenging situation for 12 seasons.

He, too, was unable to escape the first round of the playoffs and was confined to a losing franchise. Stafford found himself held back by the franchise’s poor draft picks and unwise coaching hirings and firings.

Hampered by injuries at times, and unable to consistently win while in Detroit, he’s thankfully broken free. Thriving in his first season with the Rams, he’s now leading them to Super Bowl 56.

As we think about the Bengals and Matthew Stafford going from being trapped to finally winning, I want to unpack how this parallels our own lives.

Oftentimes, we find ourselves feeling trapped by our circumstances, our own bad decisions, or the situations we’ve ended up in. Most of us can relate to having been trapped in the past or feeling trapped right now based on the following:

  • Trapped in negative thoughts

  • Trapped in sin

  • Trapped in fear or shame

  • Trapped in addiction

  • Trapped by the family we were born into

  • Trapped by busyness

  • Trapped in mediocrity

  • Trapped in performance-based religion

  • Trapped in a job

  • Trapped at home because of the virus

Although it may seem there’s no way out and we can never win, that’s not the truth. Thankfully, Jesus came to set us free!

Galatians 5:1 (NLT) gives us this life-changing message: “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”

We don’t have to remain trapped in sin or bondage to the law or feel defeated by the evil ways of this world. God shows us the way out of our previous lives and continues to show us how to escape temptation without giving in.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) tells us, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

This world is filled with difficulties and circumstances that cause us to feel trapped or lose hope, but as we trust in Jesus, we can persevere confidently and freely.

It’s through Him we experience breakthroughs, growth, and victory.

Jesus explains in John 16:33 (AMP) “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world, you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]”

Psalm 145:18-19 (NLT) offers this great encouragement: “The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cries for help and rescues them.”

When we are in Christ, we are overcomers, victorious, free, and able to endure because of His strength. Today, let’s cling to His truth, peace, and hope as we follow His ways and turn the corner while we no longer remain stuck losing.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’m so thankful that You don’t leave me trapped or hopeless. Thank You for sending Jesus to rescue me and free me. I pray I’d continue to experience breakthroughs and please help me escape when temptations come my way. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS:

  1. In what ways do you feel trapped right now?

  2. In what ways have you experienced freedom and breakthroughs because of Jesus?