When Luka Doncic was traded from the Mavericks to the Lakers a few weeks ago, the NBA world (including Luka) was shocked.
He had been in Dallas since 2018 and became one of the best players in the world, leading the Mavs to the NBA Finals last summer. He appeared to have every intention of remaining there and being the franchise's cornerstone for a long time.
Instead, the Mavs organization moved on from him by shipping him out of town, and his character was questioned and attacked following the trade.
So, with last night’s matchup between the Lakers and Mavs being the first time since this controversial and league-altering trade took place, it was highly anticipated, intense, and entertaining.
The Lakers beat the Mavs 107-99 in Los Angeles, and Luka recorded a triple-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists against his former teammates. Luka must have been motivated and eager to play in this game, but he probably had mixed emotions following the big win.
Now that it’s over and he’s settling in with his new team, Luka has a choice to make regarding his mindset and attitude. He can either dwell on the trade and the fact that the Mavs gave up on him or focus on his new opportunity with the Lakers.
He can allow bitterness, anger, frustration, disbelief, and shock to dominate his thoughts…or choose gratitude and excitement because he now plays with one of the top NBA franchises.
Luka can be consumed with proving the Mavs wrong and gaining revenge on them, or be grateful that he was traded to a situation where he gets to play alongside the legend LeBron James and have a chance to win a championship.
Understandably, Luka was initially hurt and disappointed that his life was upended and that he was forced to switch teams out of the blue. It’s reasonable to think that he would be bitter and desire to prove the Mavs wrong. However, he is more likely to flourish if he embraces gratitude and hopefulness about his new opportunity.
In our own lives, we can relate to changes, fractured relationships, and circumstances that stir up bitterness, anger, disbelief, and frustration.
Often, something shocking upends our lives, and we’re left to process how to respond.
Depending on the situation, we can feel let down, disrespected, abandoned, given up on, and underappreciated. We encounter things we didn’t initially want to happen, catching us off guard and filling us with thoughts and emotions.
Like Luka, once the shock wears off, we continue to have a choice to make regarding our mindset and attitude. Will we dwell on past events and justify our bitterness, or will we push forward and focus on the new opportunity before us?
As followers of Jesus, we always have an opportunity to trust God and believe He is with us in surprising situations.
Yes, we’ll be tempted to justify our bitterness and anger and allow our disbelief to dominate our thoughts. However, as we surrender to the Lord, we can choose gratitude and excitement for what He will do in us and through us, even when things don’t make sense.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
We must remember that God has forgiven us, and through Him, we have the power to forgive others and overcome bitterness.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (AMP) tells us to “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence]. Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.”
We must also recognize that bitterness doesn’t benefit us. Instead of being consumed with proving people wrong and gaining revenge, we must be grateful and hopeful so that we can flourish.
Leviticus 19:18 (NIV) states, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
God will help us move forward with confidence and faith as He stirs in us a desire to thrive in the new situation we find ourselves in and will help us stop stirring up thoughts of bitterness and revenge.
There is freedom and healing as we trust in Him!
I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please reveal any bitterness I’m hanging on to and replace it with hope and gratitude. I’m grateful for the ways You work through the changes and surprises I encounter in life. I trust in You and know You are good and faithful. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.