Thursday Night Football continues its intriguing schedule as the Colts and Patriots match up for their longstanding rivalry. The Patriots bounced back last week with a convincing win over the Dolphins…and the Colts enter tonight’s game following an overtime loss to Houston.

In that game, head coach Frank Reich determined the Colts weren’t going to settle for a tie and went for it on 4th down. Even though they didn’t convert and ended up losing the game, the team seemed to rally around the aggressive decision. (I loved it too!)

As two great quarterbacks, Tom Brady and Andrew Luck, walk out on the field this evening, the story is going to be more about how their teams are dealing with numerous injuries. Neither team is playing at full strength and key players are either questionable or aren’t expected to suit up at all.

At this point, seven players have been ruled out by the Colts, including star wide receiver, T.Y. Hilton; tight end, Jack Doyle; and running back, Marlon Mack. In addition to kicker, Adam Vinatieri, they have six other players with a questionable designation.

The Patriots aren’t in as bad of shape, but they still have eight players questionable. Tight end, Rob Gronkowski, and receiver, Josh Gordon, are on that list. Both teams had a short week to prepare for a Thursday night game, which makes it even harder to be at full strength.

At this point in the week, how many of us are feeling like we’re at less than full strength? Can we admit to being weak, banged up, worn down, burned out, and just not our best?

Many of us have designated ourselves questionable as we attempt to get out there to face our daily challenges…or feel so injured we don’t want to “suit up” at all.

It’s a brutal place to be in, but when we look at the Bible we can always find hope. Just like tonight’s teams aren’t at full strength and will depend on others to step up and fill in the gaps, we must also rely on someone else.

Strength and power are available to us when we seek God and trust Him to provide. Isaiah 40:29 (AMP) says, “He gives strength to the weary, and to him who has no might He increases power.”

1 Chronicles 16:11 (ESV) tells us to “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!”

Psalm 73:26 (AMP) declares, “My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the rock and strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

We know it’s hard to operate at less than full strength and there’s no way we can muster up enough strength on our own.

So today, let’s rest in Jesus and depend on His everlasting power.“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might” (Ephesians 6:10 – AMP).

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me strength when I am weak. Please help me to fully rely on You when I feel depleted, instead of try to operate in my own strength. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.