The New York Giants started this season 6-1 as new head coach, Brian Daboll, implemented his offense along with the necessary changes to the culture of the team. He helped Daniel Jones play much better at quarterback while allowing Saquan Barkley to get back to being an elite running back. However, after the impressive start, the team has now lost three of four games and is coming off a tough loss to Dallas on Thanksgiving. After positioning themselves at the top of the NFC, they are now in a situation fighting for a playoff spot. They are also competing in the NFC East, one of the best divisions in the NFL, and this Sunday, they have an important divisional game against the Washington Commanders. Winning six of their last seven games, they are one of the hottest teams in the league. In an article on TheAthletic.com, Dan Duggan writes, “Sunday’s home matchup with the Commanders is the Giants’ biggest game of the season.” He also adds, “Sunday is the biggest game of quarterback Daniel Jones’ four-year career.” The headline for the article asks the question, “How Will Brian Daboll, Giants Respond to the Pressure of a Tightening Playoff Race?” The Giants have the toughest remaining strength of schedule as they currently hold the sixth seed in the NFC playoff picture with the Commanders and Seahawks right behind him. This is why a win on Sunday is critical for the Giants and why it will be interesting to see how they respond to the pressure of December football. Each player must face the emotional and mental battle to not let the pressure or burdens negatively affect their game. The ones who thrive under pressure and play free and light, despite the weight that’s been placed on them, are the ones who will help put their team in a position to win. It’s tough to make the playoffs in the NFL because the league is balanced and challenging and the competition is fierce. But the ones who have the right approach, mentality, and understanding of how to deal with the pressure, overcome mistakes, and play with ease are the ones who win. They still have the pressure, yet it doesn’t lead them to be overwhelmed, distracted, or stressed out. Most of us aren’t attempting to make the playoffs, but every day we wake up with pressure and burdens. We feel the weight of responsibility at work, as parents, as spouses, and as people living in a broken world. There’s no denying that life is hard and pressure is unavoidable, so instead of pretending like it’s not there, we need to embrace it and properly deal with it. What if instead of being overwhelmed, distracted, and stressed out, we thrived under pressure and were the ones who lived free and light, finding ourselves in a position to win? Thankfully, when Jesus died and rose again, He took the ultimate pressure off of us by dying on our behalf and taking on the burden of sin. We don’t have to feel the pressure to earn salvation based on our own merits. He offers us His free gift of grace and invites us to follow Him and be committed to His way. Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28-30 (AMP), “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened , and I will give you rest . Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me , for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” John Mark Comer in his book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, writes, “He offers his apprentices a whole new way to bear the weight of our humanity: with ease. At his side. Like two oxen in a field, tied shoulder to shoulder. With Jesus doing all the heavy lifting.” Life is hard and challenging, and the competition for our hearts and souls is fierce, but the ones who rely on Jesus are the ones who win. We have the right approach, mentality, and understanding of how to deal with the pressure, overcome mistakes, and live with peace because He is right there with us. Since we are connected to Him, He is available to shoulder the load, carry our burdens, and bear the weight so we can live life free and light because it’s with Him. He strengthens, empowers, and helps us overcome whatever is attempting to weigh us down. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know life is hard and pressures and burdens are always attempting to weigh me down. I pray that I’d take Jesus up on His invitation to truly live life His way and with Him carrying the load. Help me to stop trying to live life in my own strength. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. What pressures and burdens tend to weigh you down? 2. What changes should you make to your approach to life so you can live with the ease of knowing Jesus is willing to carry the weight?
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