The NFL season has started up again and yesterday’s games were a blast to watch!
After tonight’s Monday Night Football game, there will be 16 teams who start the season 1-0 and 16 teams who will have lost their first game of the year.
Losses affect teams (even if it’s just one game), so what will the losses do to the teams as they move forward?
The Titans, Bills, and Packers entered the season with hype and high expectations, so I think they were humbled by their disappointing performances. After being embarrassed by their loss to the Saints, Packers’ Coach, Matt LaFleur, admitted, “It’s very humbling, to say the least.”
The Falcons’ 32-6 loss to the Eagles showed just how weak their team is and that they’re in desperate need of help.
Meanwhile, the losses for the Jaguars, Giants, and Vikings have caused panic among fans and media members. It will be interesting to see how the players and coaches respond, but Jacksonville’s rookie QB, Trevor Lawrence, made this comment: “We’ve got to watch it and learn from it, for sure, but then flip the page. It’s a long season. We can’t let this snowball. We’ve got to move on and go win next week.”
The Patriots and Browns both let their win slip away with costly errors in key moments at the end of the game. Following their losses, they could easily choose to blame the specific players who made the most obvious mistakes.
The losses for the Jets and Lions should result in hope after the way they bounced back and fought hard in the second half, bringing excitement to their games.
After Sunday Night Football, the Bears’ loss most likely made fans mad as they watched the best QB on the roster, Justin Fields, only play a few snaps.
Finally, what will the loss do for Washington and Indianapolis? I don’t believe either team will panic but rather choose patience since Washington has a talented roster even after Fitzpatrick’s injury, and the Colts are just getting started with Carson Wentz.
As we unpack this question for NFL teams, I want us to consider the same question in our own lives: What will the “loss” do?
We are affected by “losses” in our own lives as we experience trials, challenges, health concerns, difficulties, and mistakes. When evaluating these situations, we should ask God what He wants the “loss” to do.
God could be using the “loss” to reveal how weak we are and in desperate need of His help, strength, and grace.
If facing a “loss” because of our pride, God will allow it to humble us. Proverbs 29:23 (NLT) says, “Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.”
Every “loss” is a test for how we’ll respond and an opportunity to grow and learn from it. James 1:3 (AMP) tells us, “Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace].”
We also have to be aware of the negative responses that a “loss” may lead to. Sometimes it causes us to look for someone to blame…or panic…or to become angry…or to let it snowball.
However, as we turn to God after a “loss,” we know He will use it for good and we can continue to have hope and patience as we place our faith in Him.
Today, let’s not be derailed by a “loss,” but instead remain encouraged by the following verses:
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22; ESV).
“My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever” (Psalm 73:26; NLT).
“The Lord is near to the heartbroken And He saves those who are crushed in spirit (contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin)” (Psalm 34:18; AMP).
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know that losses in life are a part of the journey and I trust that You will use them to reveal something important to me as you change me and humble me. I pray I wouldn’t respond in panic, but rather with peace as I know You will comfort and sustain me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
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What do “losses” usually do to you?
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What is the most recent “loss” you’ve faced and how have you responded?
