So far this NFL season, we have regularly seen intense competition and close matchups (as I wrote about last week), but yesterday's week six games saw several lopsided scores.
Here are a few of the blowouts that took place:
The Lions shockingly dominated the Cowboys 47-9.
The Bears overwhelmed the Jaguars 35-16.
The Packers embarrassed the Cardinals 34-13.
The Raiders were outmatched by the Steelers 32-13.
The Panthers' defense couldn't stop the Falcons as Carolina fell to Atlanta 38-20.
The Texans beat up the Patriots by winning 41-21.
The Bucs handed the Saints another discouraging defeat with a score of 51-27.
All the winning teams feel strong and accomplished today. Yet, all the blown-out and dominated teams feel overwhelmed, outmatched, limited, defeated, embarrassed, and discouraged.
The scoreboard didn't look pretty for them yesterday, and they're wondering how they can overcome that, move on from such a tough loss, and keep going when they're so beat up and their season looks so bleak.
The losing teams are likely trying to figure out how to salvage their season and persevere after their latest setback.
If we're honest, there are many days when we feel more like the Jaguars than the Bears. We feel overwhelmed by life's difficulties and responsibilities, and everything surrounding us seems so bleak.
One thing after another seems to be going wrong, and we feel stuck, outmatched, limited, embarrassed, and discouraged. We wonder how to keep going when we're so beat up and dominated by life's challenges.
When questioning how we will salvage this season and persevere after the latest setback, we thankfully have an answer as followers of Jesus.
Turning to God's Word reminds us that His power and strength are available, so we don't have to be outmatched.
Although this life will beat us up, and sometimes we'll get dominated, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT) encourages us, "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed."
Psalm 145:18-19 (NLT) tells us, "The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cries for help and rescues them."
In sports, it's hard enough to lose, but when you get blown out and dominated, it's even harder to keep going.
For those of us today who can relate to similar feelings based on the latest developments in our lives and the discouraging defeats, we must continue to persevere and endure as we trust that Jesus is still with us and will get us through.
Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT) says, "So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that He has promised."
James 5:10-11 (NLT) explains, "For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy."
Today, as we acknowledge the things that are overwhelming us and leaving us feeling beat up and discouraged, let's bring them to the feet of Jesus and rest in His grace, comfort, and mercy as He replenishes and refreshes us to bounce back and keep going by continuing to do God's will.
I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I admit it's so hard to continue enduring the burdens I face. Please give me the strength to keep going instead of giving up. I pray for patience as I confidently trust in You. Thank you for Your mercy and comfort when I feel overwhelmed and beat up. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
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