Golden State Warriors guard, Klay Thompson, is a four-time NBA champion, five-time All-Star, and a future lock to one day be enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Even so, in Thursday night's contest against the Utah Jazz, Thompson found himself in the unfamiliar role of coming off the bench. Thompson's struggles this season have been well-documented by the media, as he has shown signs of physical wear and tear brought about by a series of injuries in recent years. That strain on his body has undoubtedly impacted his performance on the court, as he is shooting just 42 percent from the field on the season. Thursday's contest marked the first time Thompson had come off the bench since his rookie season back in 2012, but the veteran showed a lot of character and class in the way he handled the situation. “You can do things: You can pout or you can go out there and respond,” Thompson said to the media after finishing the contest with a season-high 35 points. Though Thompson's play may not be at his usual elite level this season, you have to give him credit for the way he's handled adversity by continuing to work hard and be a good teammate. As followers of Jesus, we all experience a series of failures and disappointments as we go through life. Maybe we miss out on a promotion, don't get selected for a position, or don't do well on a test. In these moments, how do we react in the face of adversity? Do we pout, or do we “go out there and respond”? Philippians 2:14 (NLT) tells us to, “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” Complaining and pouting might not seem like a big deal to many people, but it's serious in the eyes of God. Because God is in control of all things, a decision to pout and complain is an expression of our failure to fully trust in His sovereignty and goodness. At that moment, it's a visible demonstration that we believe our plan is better than God's for our lives. Since disappointments and failures are an inevitable part of our experience, we must work hard to prepare ourselves for those moments by reminding ourselves that God is always good, always sovereign and that His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). After we do, we can respond to our disappointment by working hard for the glory of the Lord and continue to trust that He guides us in the right way at the right time. So today, let's resolve to be a people who truly demonstrate trust in our good God by refraining from all pouting and complaining when things get difficult. I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for all of the times I've complained and failed to trust in Your plan. Please help me have complete confidence in the way You guide and direct my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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