There's no question that NFL players make an enormous amount of money, but at the same time injuries can greatly affect their earning potential.
Many of the top players receive guaranteed portions of their contracts, but many others are fighting hard to stay on the field in order to maximize their salaries.
Unfortunately for Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle, Tim Jernigan, he missed the first ten games of the 2018 season and then missed three more after he initially returned.
Because his back injury caused a lack of production in 2018, the Eagles chose not to pick up his $11 million contract option and is returning to the team with a base salary of $1.25 million this year.
He does have the chance to earn some of that back based on incentives and roster bonuses, but of course, it’s disappointing that his injury cost him dearly.
Nonetheless, Jernigan is trying to keep a positive approach and has commented, “I’d rather not look back on that situation. It is what it is. It’s over. My focus is on what’s going on now. I’m just excited about what we’ve got going on here.”
The headline for this story on ProFootballTalk.com reads, “Tim Jernigan Only Looking Forward After Rough 2018 Season.”
Maybe we haven't missed out on $10 million, but we've all had rough seasons with missed opportunities, regrets, and failed expectations. When we face these unfortunate circumstances, do we choose to dwell on what happened to us or focus on "what's going on now?"
Do we spend more time thinking about what could have been, how we should have done things differently, and how someone wronged us...or do we leave it all in the past and decide "not to look back at that situation?"
Sure, it's important to remember God's faithfulness in the past in order to give us hope for the future, but even the great moments are over now too. God is doing something in us and through us right now, so let's stop looking back.
The Lord says in Isaiah 43:18-19 (NLT): “But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland."
Paul provides his forward-thinking perspective in Philippians 3:13 (ESV) by explaining, "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead..." Today, let's ask God to help us focus on the now and the future. Knowing that the past is over, let's believe He's going to do something new. Our past may be filled with heartache, but if we fill ourselves with Jesus and trust Him for what's next, we won't have room to dwell on what's already happened. I'm Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your redeeming power and Your willingness to make things new. Thank you for getting me through hard times, and I pray I wouldn't let my past hold me back. Help me see Your faithfulness and allow it to keep my focus straight ahead. Thank you in advance for what You will do next. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen. Discussion Questions for PACKs: 1. What past circumstances in your life do you need to say, "I'd rather not look back on that situation?" 2. What is something you're missing out on today because you're too focused on the past?
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