The Miami Heat beat the Denver Nuggets 111-108 in Game 2 of the NBA Finals to even the series at 1-1. It was an excellent game that came down to the end. The win was huge for Miami considering they were on the road...Denver controlled most of Game 1...and most people have viewed the Nuggets as the clear favorite to win the series. Despite the concerns from Game 1 and even being down by 15 in Game 2, the Heat continued to show their resilience. Two different headlines on ESPN.com read: “Unfazed Heat Were 'Not Worried' in Comeback Win” “Heat Handle 'Adversity' Again, Tie NBA Finals With Game 2 Win” After the game, Miami’s head coach Erik Spoelstra said, "We faced a lot of adversity during the season. We handled it the right way where you are not making excuses about it, the injuries, the changing lineups. Because of all that adversity and the 57 close games that happened, due to a lot of that, it hardened us. It steeled us, and we developed some grit, which is what we all want…We want to be able to have that privilege of having adversity and being able to overcome it. You gain strength from that.” Miami's Gabe Vincent was one of the stars in Game 2, finishing with 23 points including 4-6 from the 3-point line. He told the media, "You know, everyone on this team has battled through adversity in some manner and been knocked down and had to get back up. And for No. 2, we have a lot of experience in these close games. So when it comes down to the wire, we are strangely comfortable." As sports fans, we know that adversity is a big part of the journey of champions. It may seem cliche, but teams that win are the ones learning from each challenge, overcoming difficulties, and growing stronger because of hardships. This, of course, is also true in life and as followers of Jesus. At first glance, we don't like adversity, but let's be reminded that it's used to strengthen us and steel us, which means “mentally prepare oneself to do or face something difficult.” (I would add "spiritually prepare us.") We are on a continuous journey, with each difficulty growing and preparing us for the next challenge and opportunity. Just as Spoelstra said, “We want to be able to have that privilege of having adversity and being able to overcome it. You gain strength from that.” Hearing him say, "that privilege of having adversity," may sound weird, but it's a similar approach the Bible encourages us with when it comes to our troubles. The Bible says in Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” We grow in our character and faith, as God strengthens and helps us endure the challenges of life. Through His power and ongoing work in us, we can handle adversity the "right way." To expound even further on the verses above, Romans 5:1-5 (TLB) tells us, “So now, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith in His promises, we can have real peace with Him because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. For because of our faith, He has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to actually becoming all that God has had in mind for us to be. "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. "Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.” In life, adversity is included. But instead of viewing it as a negative, what if we, as followers of Jesus, viewed it as a "privilege" and were able to say, "We are strangely comfortable" because "our hope and faith are strong and steady" as we rest in God's love. I'm Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to rejoice in adversity and view it as a privilege because of how You're going to use it to change me. Thank you for loving me the way you do. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. How do you normally view adversity and how difficult is it for you to see it as a privilege? 2. How has one level of adversity prepared you for something else and how did God strengthen You through it?
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