TRUST YOUR TRAINING

DAY 25 Winning Edge Devotions

1 PET. 2:19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Sometimes during the game, it just all goes wrong. There are a lot of terms for it- “the wheels come off” or “we can’t stop the bleeding”- It is the point where all the breaks seem to go the wrong way. Momentum is moving away and it doesn’t look like it is coming back. Fumbles, penalties, missed assignments, cause a panic and produces a vicious cycle of negative energy.

Championship teams find a way to hold on during those times and weather the storm. There are several things we have to do in these situations. The first is, I want to see their eyes. In those eyes I want confidence and intensity. I want to see poised leaders. The right kind of leader will speak encouragingly in this situation. And finally, I tell them to ‘trust your training’.

We train to make good solid plays. We have done it before and we will do it begin. On offense I call a few solid plays or short easy throws. We just want to settle down and string some success together. Training involves doing. It also involves modeling. When a younger player sees the veterans playing hard in spite of the momentum, it teaches them how to act in tough circumstances.

In the above passage, we see an encouragement to hang tough when the momentum swings against us. There are times when life will break against us. We don’t get a win, a relationship goes south, we lose a job, our health slips, we lose a loved one. We may have weeks or months where nothing seems to be going our way. We begin to think that God is working opposite of what we pray.

Peter tells us that it is a gracious thing to stand firm and keeping the Lord in mind. It brings God much glory if you say, ‘Lord, times are tough, but I will not give up on you. I will stay positive and loving.’ It is the same picture that Christ modeled for us.

What an honor to show character and strength for the Lord! It has been said that for every hard thing in life that happens to non-Christians, God allows those things to happen to believers, that the world might see the difference.

How do we do it? Again, we just need to string it together one small step of faith at a time. Maybe just make it to church when you don’t feel like going. Call a friend for lunch. Read the Bible a few days in a row. Pray. Get up tomorrow and try to put it together gain. Thank God for all you do have. See His provision and trust His protection.

Let me see in your eyes a winning look and not a loser’s lean. Walk tall and confident as Christ did! You can make it- trust your training!

Lord, thank you for the hard road. It is not fun, but You use it for my good. Help me hang on and quietly trust You. Father, I need You in these times. Thank you for Your example and Your love! AMEN