“It’s time to get back in the game.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 2, 2022
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
I recently watched a moving video on Facebook of two young boys with their coach. The threesome stood off to the side of their rugby game. The younger boy, Bob, was discouraged and cried, “Everyone’s older than me. Everyone’s bigger than me.”
Bob’s teammate faced him squarely, placed his hands firmly on Bob’s shoulders and said with conviction:
“Bob, listen to me. Trust me. Look at me. Look at me, Bob. I’m the shortest kid here. Listen, it doesn’t matter who you are . . . if you’re short, if you’re young, it doesn’t matter. If you’re tall or not. It doesn’t matter if you’re fat. Bob, you are a brilliant rugby player. You understand that? You’re insane. You are actually insane for your age. You’re insane. Come here. Give me a hug. It’s alright, right? Come on.”
With that, Bob’s teammate wrapped his right arm firmly around Bob’s shoulder and walked him back into the game.
This touching story made me cry because we’ve all been Bob. We’ve all felt inadequate and as if we are not enough. There are times when we’ve blown it and we need someone in our corner who will say, “You don’t feel like you’ve got what it takes, but you do.”
There are times when we’ve all wanted someone to be our champion, to battle with us to help us fight back doubt and discouragement. We all need to know that our shortcomings don’t matter in the long run and that our failures are not final. There are moments when we all want someone who will put their hand around our shoulder and help us get back in the game.
The Lord is that Someone. To you He says, “Get back in the game. Your failures are not final. I’m here to help you. I’m in your corner. You are a winner in Me. You have what it takes to do what I have called you to. It doesn’t matter that you messed up. It doesn’t matter that you feel like you’re not enough. I will equip you where I have called you. I am your strength. You can do all things through Me” (Philippians 4:13).
When the voice of the Accuser is strong, knowing who you are in Christ is of utmost importance. He is your ultimate Champion. However, there are times when hearing from another fellow sojourner who knows what it’s like to stand in your shoes can be empowering too, just like it was for Bob. Granted, it’s tempting to allow shame to cause you to pull away, shut down, and isolate. But in moments of discouragement, you don’t need to be alone. You need others who will lift you up, encourage, and pray for you.
After Jesus was raised from the dead, in the disciples’ times of grief, and after Peter had blown it by denying Christ, Jesus appeared to the disciples where they were together. Other than Thomas, they were all together leaning on one another.
When you feel as if you are not enough, when the Adversary is filling your head with lies about your abilities, when He is making you feel like a loser, and He is heaping you with shame, reach up to God for a reminder of your identity in Him, and reach out to others too.
“He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:2-3).
Prayer
Lord, help me to reach out to you and to others during those times when the Adversary is covering me in shame. Help me to remember that I was not created to do life alone. Amen.
Application
Do you need to reach out to someone that you trust today for encouragement? Or, do you need to be a voice of encouragement to someone today to remind them that their failures are not final and to get back in the game?
Related Reading
Proverbs 24:16; 2 Corinthians 4:9; Psalm 119:71
Worship Resource
CeCe Winans: His Strength is Perfect
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