Last year the Miami Dolphins finished the season 5-11 under new head coach, Brian Flores. Despite trading away many of their top players, the team competed well and showed great promise for the future.
They remained motivated and hard-working up until the final game of 2019, which they won against the Patriots. That momentum carried them into this year as they've already won five games (5-3) and have won four in a row.
There are similarities between last year’s Dolphins team and this year’s Panthers and Chargers teams who are losing close games, yet playing well against the top teams in the league.
The Panthers have a new coaching regime and many fresh additions to their roster, and despite only winning three games and losing six, five of those losses were decided by eight points or less. They are doing really good things each week and are giving Panthers' fans lots of hope for a winning future.
Likewise, all six of the Chargers' losses have been by seven or fewer points, including last-second heartbreakers in the past two weeks and two other games in overtime. However, their rookie quarterback, Justin Herbert, is showing tremendous promise and the team is doing a lot of positive things each week.
After coming up short to the Raiders yesterday, Chargers' head coach Anthony Lynn said, "I told the guys just keep competing. They did what I asked them to do. They competed for four quarters. I thought they were resilient and I thought they bounced back. I thought they played for one another. I do know if you continue to do that, at some point good things will happen."
In the middle of the disappointing losses, the Chargers and Panthers can still be encouraged and have confidence that the wins will eventually come if they keep doing the good things they’re doing...even if it’s next season. (Just look at what the Dolphins are doing!)
When it comes to our own lives, we may be able to relate to these teams because we feel like we’re doing all the right things, but life isn’t going exactly how we think it should. Although we seem close to wins, they just aren't happening yet.
This can become very discouraging, but if we continue following Jesus and doing good things according to His will, we can have the confidence that the wins will eventually come - even if it’s not until eternity.
That’s why we have to keep “competing,” keep persevering, keep serving, keep loving, and keep relying on God’s strength while waiting for greatly anticipated results. Just like coach Lynn said about his Chargers, "...at some point, good things will happen."
Galatians 6:9 (NLT) puts it this way: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
2 Thessalonians 3:13 (AMP) adds, “And as for you, believers, do not grow tired or lose heart in doing good .”
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (AMP) says, “Therefore we do not become discouraged . Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.
"For our momentary, light distress is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure !"
We can choose to be discouraged and give up or we can continue in obedience, following Jesus and doing good things for His glory...trusting that the fruit and blessings will come.
Today, let’s be encouraged by 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT): “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray I wouldn’t remain discouraged when life doesn’t go exactly my way or when I’m waiting for prayers to be answered. Help me trust You as I continue to serve You and persevere through challenges. Thank you in advance for the fruit and blessings I’ll experience in the future. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
In what ways are you discouraged by doing the right things and not seeing the results you’d like?
When was a time you persevered and kept doing good things, despite multiple “losses,” and experienced the blessings and fruit on the other side?
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