I love watching football every weekend, and so far, the NFL season has brought all of us sports fans many exciting matchups and countless dramatic finishes. But, the enjoyment of watching our favorite teams play, also comes with witnessing numerous injuries. The scenes of players heading to the blue tent, walking to the locker room, or having the cart driven out seem to be commonplace every week. In some ways, we're so used to all the injuries that when seeing another player get hurt, we say to ourselves, “Here we go again.” We start to expect injuries and aren’t surprised when a big hit results in a player heading to the sideline. We’ve seen top players suffer season-ending injuries and have held our breath as players remain down on the field. Injuries have escalated this season and every team seems to consistently have key players dealing with them. So what are players supposed to do with the reality that injuries are such a big part of the sport they play? The following few things come to mind:
They know some injuries just happen, but they still must prepare themselves to avoid certain injuries by how they take care of their body.
They have to equip themselves to better handle injuries, so they can respond with the right mindset and perspective.
They can’t pretend or think they’ll never be affected by injuries or that they are somehow above being injured.
They must be willing to endure the suffering of an injury and also understand that even when they get through one injury, they could get injured again.
They must look for opportunities to comfort teammates who are also injured and willingly receive encouragement from them, as well.
Fans and players can easily become jaded, negative, worried, angry, bitter, or cynical about the prevalence of injuries in the sport of football. However, the better alternative is to show compassion, understand the value of perseverance, and focus on how great football is even amid injuries. When it comes to our own lives, it seems that everywhere we turn there are “injuries,” suffering, pain, and devastation. Almost anyone we talk to has a hardship or challenge they're dealing with. In some ways, it seems more prevalent than ever, but the reality is that “injuries” have been and will continue to be a part of this life. We are likely used to dealing with painful issues and when we see ourselves or another person get hurt, we say to ourselves, “Here we go again.” We start to expect “injuries” and aren’t surprised when “big hits” happen to us or others. The truth is, we live in a fallen world and many of the issues we face are consequences of sin, evil, and brokenness. As followers of Jesus, suffering is also part of our time (and growth) on earth before we experience the fullness of His glory in paradise for eternity. We're told in 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NLT): “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world.” So what are we supposed to do with "injuries" being such a big part of the life we live now? Here are a few things that come to mind:
We can equip ourselves to avoid certain injuries (consequences for sins) by how we take care of our hearts, minds, and bodies as we seek the Lord.
We can prepare to handle injuries by continually building our faith and when they do happen, we can respond with the right mindset and perspective.
We can’t pretend or think we’ll never be affected by injuries or that we're somehow above being injured. We must keep a proper understanding that "injuries" will happen, without being cynical about it.
We must be willing to endure the suffering that comes from an injury but understand that even when we get through one injury, it's likely we'll get injured again. We need to celebrate each healing and realize how God strengthens our faith along the way to endure more.
We must look for opportunities to comfort others who are suffering and be willing to receive encouragement from them, too.
We can easily become jaded, negative, worried, angry, bitter, or cynical about the prevalence of suffering in our lives, but the better alternative is to show compassion, understand the value of perseverance through trials, and focus on how great God is even in the midst of the suffering.
He is the One who gets us through and allows us to experience victory both now and for eternity.
Psalm 34:19 (AMP) says, “Many hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteous, But the Lord rescues him from them all.”
Jesus tells us in John 16:33 (AMP), “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous ; I have overcome the world.” ”
Today, let’s not allow the negativity of constant “injuries” to drag us down into despair, but let’s continue to find our hope and peace in the God who rescues, heals, overcomes, and comforts us.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ, we share abundantly in comfort too” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5; ESV).
I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please teach me to have the proper perspective of suffering. I know it’s a part of this life, and I ask that I will suffer well as I trust You and find hope and peace in You. I pray that through experiencing Your comfort, I will know how to comfort others. I’m so grateful the suffering will end when I join You in paradise someday. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. What injuries are you currently dealing with? 2. What is your perspective on injuries in your life and the lives of those around you?
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