Alabama head coach Nick Saban is one of the best in the business, and this week signed a contract extension that will keep him in Tuscaloosa until at least 2024. He's built an incredible powerhouse program at Alabama and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
The upcoming season is a few months away, and the new players are already being implemented into the team. However, Saban and the Crimson Tide are still just a few months removed from their National Championship loss to the Clemson Tigers.
The loss was heartbreaking when you consider they had the lead but ultimately allowed Clemson to pull out the win in dramatic fashion during the closing moments of the game.
Unfortunately, and not surprisingly, Saban hasn't moved on yet from this overwhelming disappointment. He told ESPN a couple of weeks ago, “I’ll never get over it because you never do with those kinds of losses. I never got over the returned field goal at Auburn."I never got over playing poorly against Ohio State and losing that game late. And then in this game, we didn’t play very well, and Clemson did when they had to. That’s what eats at you.”
With Saban being so competitive, I can only imagine how he replays the tough loss and second-guesses every play that took place in that game.
Losses in sports and life can motivate us and change us for the better. However, when we allow difficult moments and the brutal mistakes we’ve made to “eat at us,” the pain and suffering remain.
As followers of Jesus, I think we can look at the tough losses and know that God’s faithfulness and goodness help bring us out of those seasons while healing us from the pain.However, when we continue to dwell on the worst “plays” of our life and allow them to hold us back and distract us, then we are missing out on what’s in front of us and what’s coming next.
Paul writes in Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT), "No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Like Saban, we could look back at upsetting moments that eat away at us. But if we focus on Jesus instead, then we don’t have to say “I’ll never get over it.” Today, let's decide to move on with God's power...and embrace the fresh season in front of us.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I need Your strength to help me process the brokenness and pain I still feel from the difficult circumstances of my life. I believe You are a healer and can give me the ability to look straight ahead toward Jesus, and not dwell on the past. Thank you for Your love. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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