Every Monday morning after watching a Sunday filled with NFL games, we draw conclusions about the games we witnessed. Interestingly, the truth we choose to believe is usually based on the team’s most recent win or loss.
This week, fans will be questioning if Lamar Jackson is an MVP candidate anymore since the Ravens lost to the Browns and he threw two interceptions.
Since the Browns won, we can no longer say that Baker Mayfield is overrated, right? Is it no longer true that the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills are legit this year after they lost to top teams yesterday?
What if it’s still true that the Bills have a top defense in the league even though they lost? And what if it’s still true that Kerryon Johnson had a breakout game even though the Lions running back had a costly fumble?
As NFL fans, it’s easy to get caught up in wins and losses and what truth it reveals about certain teams. But oftentimes, something remains true about a team even if the scoreboard makes you believe something else.
In life, I think we do the same thing when it comes to wins and losses and what we believe to be true about blessings. We’ll acknowledge that God is good when He gives us great gifts and answers prayers based on what we want.
When life is rolling the way we like, we see the truth of God’s faithfulness in the wins. We’re good with the truth that reveals He wants to show us His love and bless us.
However, when the losses in life come and we experience suffering and disappointment and things don't go our way, we start to question the truth that God loves us and wants to bless us with good gifts.
The scoreboard is not favorable to us and the truth we believe about God now becomes challenged. We start thinking, “He can’t be good and faithful if I’m losing this bad in life.”
As we grow in our understanding of who God is, we must realize the truth of His Word. Blessings, good gifts, and wins are definitely part of our lives as followers of Jesus, but so are suffering and losses.
God is still who He says He is and His character doesn’t change each week. It's true that He is good, faithful, and loving and wants to bless us - even if we experience challenges. Suffering can even be a blessing!
Let’s allow 1 Peter 4:12-16 (ESV) to remind us not to be caught off guard: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.
"If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.”
Let’s also be encouraged that the truth of God’s goodness and faithfulness remains the same in our wins and losses.
Today, as followers of Jesus, we will receive answered prayers and good gifts, but as we seek Him we will also experience suffering. Either way, we can be assured of this invaluable truth: God is with us...He is not against us...and He loves us.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know that as a follower of Jesus I'm going to experience times of suffering and times filled with good gifts. I know that they are both blessings and You use them for Your glory and my good. Help me not to question the truth of Your character, but to see You clearly. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
Do you struggle with questioning what is true about God depending on your latest win or loss?
How has your understanding of the truth about suffering and blessings changed over the years as your faith has grown?
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