The NFL season has been a blast through five weeks, but it is a physical and brutal sport, and the number of injured players is both concerning and disappointing.
This season's injury list is so long I could never list them all here. Still, some top players dealing with major or nagging injuries that missed this week’s games include Christian McCaffrey, Cooper Kupp, Jonathan Taylor, Micah Parsons, Joe Mixon, Rashee Rice, and Davante Adams.
Then, during yesterday's games, we saw several other players get injured and knocked out of the game, including Nico Collins, De'Von Achane, and Aaron Jones.
We're witnessing many marquee players miss games and have injuries that make them questionable to play every week. As fans and Fantasy Football managers, we wonder what to make of this rash of injuries as they affect every team across the league.
Why are so many players getting injured so often? There are multiple theories and reasons, and for today's devotional, here are a few to consider.
They are not preparing their bodies properly to take the hits.
They are missing games because they are unwilling to play through the pain and endure discomfort.
They are not training effectively before the season starts, as they don't take their practices seriously enough.
Players are just "soft" and unable to handle the big hits.
They are not wisely avoiding certain hits they don't have to take.
I can't begin to imagine how hard it is to stay healthy in the NFL with the size, speed, and intensity on the field, but I do think we should question and examine why some injuries are happening and why specific players are getting injured repeatedly.
More importantly, let's use the topic of injury concerns to parallel our lives and unpack why followers of Jesus have their own similar "injury struggles" or challenges with sin.
Why are so many believers making sinful decisions and getting "banged up with injuries"?
Why do so many believers seem "questionable" based on their behavior?
Why are so many believers choosing to remain “injured,” stay on the sidelines, and avoid the local church?
Why are so many believers leaving the faith altogether?
Why are marquee pastors "getting hit" and "knocked out" of the "game"?
There are multiple reasons to consider, but just like the questioning of the NFL injuries, let's focus on these:
We are not adequately preparing our bodies, minds, and hearts to take the hits.
We are not willing to live through the pain and endure being uncomfortable.
We are not training effectively before the season starts, as we don't take spiritual practices seriously enough.
We are not wisely avoiding certain hits we don't have to take as we are too caught up in getting close to the world.
We are just "soft" and unable to handle the big hits and remain in the "game" when it's tough.
As followers of Jesus, we are going to take hits and face temptation every day, and the reality is that it's tough out there with the "defense" trying to knock us out.
What Jesus told the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:41; NIV), is good to hear today: "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
We are weak, and it's easy to fall into temptation and "get injured," but that's why we must continue to "watch and pray." We must continually ask God for strength, make us aware of the dangers around us, and show us how to avoid many of the "hits" while helping us endure the rest, even when it's uncomfortable.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) says, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
As followers of Jesus, we don't have to get "knocked out of the game." Still, we must embrace the proper training, implement spiritual disciplines, and practice the appropriate ways of living so that we are always prepared and ready to be "out on the field.”
Paul tells us to rejoice, not to worry, think about good things, and stand firm in the Lord. In Philippians 4:9 (AMP), he writes, "The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you."
Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 9:27 (NLT), "I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified."
1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT) adds, "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come."
As followers of Jesus, we must put in the training and move past being "soft" and so easily injured. We must trust Jesus for strength as we stand on the truth, endure whatever may come our way, and live out 1 Corinthians 16:13 (ESV): "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."
There will be times we fall into temptation and "get injured" by sin, but hopefully, it’s just for a "play," and we quickly repent and get back out there instead of it becoming a "nagging injury."
Today, let's continue to seek God for healing of past injuries and ask Him to help us stand firm as we also remember His forgiveness and grace and what it says in 1 John 2:1 (NLT): "My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous."
I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, my spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. Help me to watch and pray and endure. I desire to stand firm and be strong as I rely on Your power within me. Thank you for your grace, forgiveness, and healing. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
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