Teams have only played two games in the young NFL season, and even though we have 15 more weeks to go, we’re already hearing plenty of declarative statements and overreactions.

Here are some of the “hot takes” thrown out by NFL fans and media:

• After the collapse against the Cowboys, the Atlanta Falcons season is over and they should fire Dan Quinn.
• Drew Brees can’t make the big throws anymore – it’s time for the Saints to go a different direction.
• The 0-2 Houston Texans will miss the playoffs.
• The Buffalo Bills are unstoppable…look out Patriots!
• Justin Herbert is the next great NFL quarterback after his performance against the Chiefs.
• Carson Wentz is not an elite quarterback and the Eagles should move on from him.
• The New York Jets are the worst team ever.
• Gardner Minshew should be the Jaguars franchise quarterback.

This happens each week during the season, but especially after the first couple of weeks when we jump to conclusions based on the most recent game.

We quickly forget that it’s only one game and there is a long season ahead of us. Our perspective is so narrow and we overlook all the factors that need to be considered, beyond what we just saw on Sunday.

Even though we know we’re doing it, we easily fall into the trap of overreacting. As NFL fans, we can be shortsighted and lack the willingness to see the big picture. All we know at the moment is what we observed during two games, so that’s what ends up affecting our opinions and feelings about each team.

We can also overreact and become shortsighted with situations in our own lives. This happens when we have a limited view of the big picture and overlook all the factors that need to be considered.

When we have a bad day or a tough week, we need to be careful not to jump to conclusions or make drastic decisions in the moment. We need to remain level headed, recognizing that one bad day or a tough week doesn’t mean it’s always going to be that way or that God isn’t still good and faithful.

Whether in the NFL or life, things can change quickly, but we have to be careful not to get trapped by the moment and overreact.

These moments provide the opportunity to turn to God and trust Him because He can help us keep our emotions and thoughts from setting off overreactions.

His Word is filled with promises as He provides what we need to live with self-control, patience, and endurance. We have to keep an eternal mindset as we cling to the reality that God is in control, He’s faithful, and His promises are true.

The Bible encourages us in 2 Peter 1:3-9 (NLT): “By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.

“And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

“In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.”

Today, let’s trust God for our hope, self-control, and endurance…and let’s not be shortsighted or forget all that He has already done for us through Jesus.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess that sometimes I overreact when things don’t go my way. I pray that I would trust You in those moments and recognize the hope that is found in Jesus. Please help me not to be shortsighted, but instead, believe that You are in control and see the bigger picture. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

1. What types of situations cause you to overreact in life…and what is your normal response?

2. Why is it so important that we learn not to overreact in life?