The New York Jets may have opened their 2024 regular season with a 32-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, but that defeat has done little to impact head coach Robert Saleh’s optimism.
Aaron Rodgers finally played his first complete game for New York after tearing his Achilles tendon while attempting a pass in the season opener a year ago. His presence as their quarterback has much to do with Saleh’s hope for the season.
After Monday’s defeat, when asked if being 0-1 with Aaron Rodgers playing feels even better than last year when they were 1-0 without Rodgers, Saleh said, “You know what? Unfortunately, it does.”
Although coaches never enjoy experiencing losses, knowing they have a superstar athlete on their team can profoundly impact their mindset and optimism. Because of the presence of a star athlete, these coaches hope they will make it through the losses they endure to experience ultimate success later in the season.
As followers of Jesus, there is no getting around the fact that we will experience “losses” in our lives. The Bible promises all believers that suffering and persecution will be a part of our story as long as we walk the narrow path.
2 Timothy 3:12 (LSB) says, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
In our flesh, the prospect of going through difficult times because we follow Jesus and desire to live a life that pleases Him is not particularly appealing. After all, nobody enjoys going through suffering and hardships simply for the experience of it.
But even though our flesh may be inclined to balk at the idea of future sufferings and persecutions, we are able (like Saleh with the Jets) to remain optimistic and encouraged in the midst of whatever “losses” we face because of who is on our side.
Psalm 118:6 (ESV) tells us, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
This verse does not promise us that difficult times will never come, but it does let us know that we do not need to be afraid or discouraged when those troubles come because God is with us. We have hope because of His presence “as our quarterback.”
Our hope as believers is even greater than the optimism that coaches have when surrounded by great talent. Coaches with superstars on their team hope to experience ultimate victory later in the year, but they can never be sure.
However, believers in Christ can have complete and total confidence that God will walk with them through this life and bring them to the ultimate victory they will experience in heaven.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NASB) says, “For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
While we encounter trials, sufferings, and persecutions as we sojourn here on earth, let’s be encouraged that our great God walks us through even the most challenging circumstances.
More significantly, let’s rejoice over our final victory, being secure in Christ.
Though we experience “losses” and difficulties in the here and now, there will be a day when all will be made right, and we will experience the fullness of joy and pleasures forever (Psalm 16:11).
I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the confidence I can have in knowing that You are with me through my sufferings and persecutions. Please help me remain hopeful and encouraged in my difficulties, knowing I have the ultimate victory in Christ. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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