Conditions proved favorable for the world's best golfers during the opening round of the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 on Thursday, as 15 players produced scores under par on the notoriously difficult course. Leading the charge in the opening round of action were Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay, who each carded 5-under 65 to sit atop the leaderboard. Although 15 players broke par in the first round, that number should drop drastically as the tournament rolls along. In the three previous U.S. Opens hosted at Pinehurst, only four players have finished the tournament by breaking par, demonstrating the immense challenge presented by the course setup. For his part, McIlroy attributes at least some of his success in Thursday's opening round to a shift in his mindset about playing such a challenging course setup at U.S. Opens. McIlroy commented, "I really don't think I embraced U.S. Open setups probably 10 years into my U.S. Open career. Played my first one in '09, and I think I really changed my mindset around them in 2019, that one in Pebble(Beach), and then since then I've also started to enjoy this style of golf a lot more." As followers of Jesus, we should be able to glean something from McIlroy's newfound perspective on the challenges and difficulties he’ll inevitably encounter while teeing off in the U.S. Open. It should not surprise us that trials, sufferings, and persecutions mark the Christian life. Though we do experience seasons of "victory" in life, scripture has promised us that our "course" will be challenging (See John 15:20; John 16:33; 2 Timothy 3:12). So, how should we think about the challenges we’re bound to encounter on this earth? And how could a change in perspective help us "play" at a higher level when our "course" is arduous? In 2 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul speaks about having a "thorn in the flesh" to keep him from becoming conceited. The trial he was enduring was difficult, and Paul initially sought to remove the challenge altogether before a change in perspective helped him to look at his situation differently. "Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:8-10, ESV). As Paul learned that the challenges and sufferings he endured magnified God's power in his life and drew him closer to the Lord, he recognized that it was appropriate for him to be content in his trials. His perspective changed, enabling him to see that the difficulties he was facing were actually bringing about positive results. This doesn't mean we have to ignore the reality of the suffering we endure or pretend the “course” isn't difficult. But it does mean that we can learn to change our perspective on our difficulties by recognizing that God uses life's trials to bring about ultimate good. The Apostle Paul wasn't the only biblical figure who learned to change his perspective on suffering, as Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:13-14 (NIV): "But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." Today, let's set our hearts and minds on changing perspectives on the difficulties we face in this life. Let’s recognize God is drawing near to us in our sufferings and is using them to build our character and our longing for heaven. I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for always being with me in my suffering. Help me to know that You are working through the trials of life to help draw me nearer to You. Please grant me the strength to endure suffering with a correct mindset and to remain obedient as I trust in You. In Jesus' Name, I pray, Amen.
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