It’s a really busy time right now in the world of sports, but there’s one story from last week that I want to revisit and unpack today.

Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger, made it official that he’s retiring from the NFL after 18 years, at the age of 39. Drafted in 2004 by the Steelers, he was taken just a few picks after Eli Manning and Philip Rivers.

Roethlisberger’s very successful career includes two Super Bowl wins and one additional Super Bowl appearance. He holds the NFL record for most career 500-yard passing games with four and is tied with Peyton Manning for the most career-perfect passer rating games with four.

He also finishes in the NFL record books with the 5th most passing yards in NFL history, 8th most passing touchdowns, 7th highest passer rating, and the 4th most game-winning drives.

As one of 12 QBs to win multiple Super Bowl titles and one of 12 QBs to make three Super Bowl starts, he is the youngest QB to win one.

Yet beyond the stats and wins, Roethlisberger will be remembered for his unique style of play, which was marked by toughness and an ability to extend plays.

This led to him taking countless hits throughout his 18-year career, which resulted in numerous injuries. However, his willingness to keep playing despite the obvious pain is what most fans will remember.

NFL writer Jarrett Bell from USA Today sums it up well when he says, “For so many years, Roethlisberger was all about grit, perseverance, survival. That’s why he is an icon so endeared in a city that bleeds black and gold.”

When thinking about what made Roethlisberger such a special and successful QB, I want to focus on the word “grit” because it’s an admirable and valuable characteristic to have in sports and life.

To take it a step further, I believe as followers of Jesus we must have “spiritual grit.”

Grit is defined as “courage and resolve; strength of character” and has synonyms that include “backbone, fortitude, resolve, determination, perseverance, endurance, and toughness.”

Just like a QB takes countless hits throughout his career, you and I get “hit” often throughout life and we choose to either keep going or give up.

In order to remain faithful, and keep going with our character intact, we have to encompass grit. This life is hard and it’s challenging to follow Jesus in today’s culture and with the countless difficulties of this world.

But, as we trust in God to give us grit…or a backbone, fortitude, and resolve, we don’t have to get knocked out. Instead, we can remain upright with strength of character.

In addition, we can claim what the Psalmist writes in Psalm 16:8 (NLT): “I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.”

Hebrews 10:36 (AMP) tells us, “For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised.”

Hebrews 10:39 (NLT) continues, “But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.”

As we know, this life is filled with tests, obstacles, and an opponent who tries to take us down. However, just like Roethlisberger on the football field, we can “extend plays” (despite the pain) with perseverance, courage, and resolve.

Psalm 112:5-7 (AMP) describes the type of person who’s able to do this: “It is well with the man who is gracious and lends; he conducts his affairs with justice. He will never be shaken; The righteous will be remembered forever. He will not fear bad news; His heart is steadfast, trusting [confidently relying on and believing] in the Lord.”

Today, let’s remember that our strength and power come from God. By placing our faith and hope in the One who created us, saves us, and sustains us, we can have grit, determination, and endurance.

”In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might” (Ephesians 6:10; AMP).

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to have the grit needed to stand firm in the faith, persevere through the pain, and endure through the challenges. I pray my heart would remain steadfast as I confidently trust and rely on You for strength. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS:

1. In what ways have you demonstrated spiritual grit in your life?

2. In what ways are you being challenged right now to persevere and endure?