The NBA Playoffs have been very entertaining with multiple series evened at 2-2, including the Pacers and the Cavs. This has been a tight matchup with games 3 and 4 having similar comebacks, yet resulting in different outcomes.
In Game 3 it looked like the Cavs were going to run away with the win, but the Pacers made a late push to overcome a 17-point deficit to steal the game.
In yesterday's Game 4, the Cavs went up big again leading by 16 points until the Pacers came back and took the lead in the fourth quarter. This time, the Cavs responded better to the Pacers’ surge and finished the game strong with a win.
After the game, LeBron James explained how the team was able to secure a different outcome in Game 4 saying, “I think the one thing that we did in Game 3 — we lost our composure. And the best teacher in life is experience, so it happened again, and we didn’t lose our composure.
“We still made shots. Even when they made a run, we got stops. Even when they took the lead in the fourth quarter, we just kept our composure throughout everything. It’s a good step in the right direction for our ballclub.”
In sports and life, there are always going to be moments when the opponent makes a surge and emotions take over. But when difficulties arise and things don't go our way, whether or not we stay calm and keep our cool play a big role in determining the outcome.
When we live with a dependence on Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we’re empowered to have self-control, poise, and the ability to keep our composure - even when circumstances are difficult and we’re in the middle of a storm.
The Bible describes a remarkable scene found in Mark 4:35-40 (NLT): "As evening came, Jesus said to His disciples, 'Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.' So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
"Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with His head on a cushion. The disciples woke Him up, shouting, 'Teacher, don’t You care that we’re going to drown?'
"When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Silence! Be still!' Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then He asked them, 'Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?'”
Many of us today have already received a frustrating email or painful phone call...or had a challenging conversation or some other unfortunate surprise. If not yet, something is coming and we must decide if we will be afraid and lose our composure or place our faith in the One who can calm the storm.
When life gets tough and the storms are swirling, let’s trust Jesus and rely on His Spirit to strengthen us. When we do, we can say what LeBron did after a victory: “We just kept our composure throughout everything.”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You know what I’m facing today and I pray that I would rely on Your Spirit to guide me into peace. I pray I would keep my composure as the storms rise, and stay calm while withstanding the surge. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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