One of the best games from yesterday was between AFC South rivals, the Indianapolis Colts, and Tennessee Titans.
Quarterbacks, Ryan Tannehill and Carson Wentz, each threw three touchdowns and two interceptions while both top wide receivers from each team, AJ Brown and Michael Pittman, had ten receptions. The game ended up heading to overtime with the score tied at 31.
After a costly Colts turnover, the Titans had a chance to kick a field goal for the win. As I was watching and listening to the game, the analyst in the booth, former kicker Jay Feely, was describing what kicker, Randy Bullock, might be thinking about before the potential game-winning kick.
This is what Feely said:
“Just trying to not let your mind wander. He’s had the opportunity to resurrect his career and to get an opportunity again and he’s kicked really well. Now it’s just focusing on fundamentals, that’s what I always did because if you occupy your mind it can’t wander and think about the implications...think about well if I make this kick maybe I get a new contract...if I miss this kick we might lose this game. You can’t allow your mind to think about any of that. So for me, it was head down, lock my ankle, follow through. You occupy your mind, you don’t let it wander, you focus on those fundamentals and you make the kick.”
The mental side of sports is fascinating - especially for kickers at the end of a game in overtime. With Bullock making the kick and the Titans getting the win on the road in Indianapolis, Feely's description of the thought process is interesting...and can be a helpful approach for us as well.
When we follow Jesus, how we think and what we think about determines so much of our behavior, attitudes, and emotions. Do we “occupy” our mind with the right things or does our mind wander toward negativity or selfishness?
Are we more focused on “implications” and what-if scenarios that lead to pride, fear, doubt, or worry? Or, are we focused on the fundamentals of faith which are loving God, and loving people?
It's so important that we submit our mind to the Lord instead of letting it wander and race with thoughts that distract and discourage us. Romans 8:5-6 (NLT) explains it this way: “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”
The word occupy means "fill or engage, absorb, immerse, involve or divert," so today, let’s immerse ourselves with Scripture, absorb the Word of God into our hearts and minds, and engage in prayer.
Let's allow the Spirit to help us divert our thinking to the right things as well as, thinking rightly about everything. Then we will have peace while our mind is occupied and focused in the right direction.
Philippians 4:8 (AMP) gives us this great challenge: "Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things .”
When we face big “kicks,” decisions, temptations, or challenges, let’s choose to remember what Feely said: “You occupy your mind, you don’t let it wander, you focus on those fundamentals and you make the kick.”
But even better than that, let's remember to cling to Isaiah 26:3 (NLT): “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to occupy my mind with truth based on Your Word. I pray I’d focus on the fundamentals of loving You and loving people. Help my mind not to wander toward negativity, worry, or fear. Thank you for keeping me in perfect peace as I trust You and keep my thoughts fixed on You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
In what ways is your mind racing or wandering toward implications or negativity?
When you occupy your mind with the right things, what is your process?
Comentários