Brian Dawkins, one of the best safeties in NFL history, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame over the weekend. In a heartfelt speech, he boldly talked about his faith and shared his past struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts.
While describing his journey, Dawkins explained how his pain and perseverance largely propelled his Hall of Fame career:
“The majority of success I have had has come on the back end of pain. Pain has pushed me to levels unknown. For me at the time, all I know that was pain but on the other side of it, all of a sudden, I became better in an area.”
“So when we go through those situations in our lives, pain helps you develop those things that are going to take you to the next level of whatever it is the Lord has for you. Believe that. I'm a living testimony of that. See there's a purpose for my pain.”
His speech was extremely inspiring and his stories of overcoming adversity are great reminders that any kind of success (not just on the football field) doesn’t come easy. Character development, faith building, and personal growth happen during significant seasons of pain and suffering.
All of us want “Hall of Fame accolades” in life, but we don’t want the pain. However, God clearly uses our desperate seasons of life to reveal Himself and show us His love, grace, and goodness. Our times of testing are used to strengthen us for more and prepare us to do what He has in store.
1 Peter 4:12-13 (AMP) tells us, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you , as though something strange or unusual were happening to you. But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory is revealed, you may rejoice with great joy.”
As Dawkins reflected on his past, he also expressed the realization that pain will continue to be used for good in his future:
“I believe that this next chapter is going to be something special with His guidance. And the only way I can have that thought in my head is the fact that I think and I believe that there's going to be some painful things to come. It is. I know it is. But I'm prepared for the pain.”
“I'm prepared to push through it. I'm persevere through it with His help and His guidance. And with that purpose and with that pain, I'm going to be able to bless so many more people with what God has put inside of me.”
The value of pain is hard to accept, but impossible to deny. Today, let’s view our pain as an opportunity that can lead to success. Through perseverance, we can glorify God and bless other people.
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ”(2 Corinthians 1:3-5 - NLT).
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I don’t like to experience pain, but I trust You will use it to deepen my faith, grow my character, and impact others. I put my hope and trust in You to strengthen me and allow me to persevere through the pain. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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