The Buffalo Bills are a hard team to figure out at the moment. They started the season 0-2 and their defense was embarrassed on national TV against the Jets. However, they have won two straight in convincing fashion against the Cardinals and the Patriots.

That’s the story of the NFL season so far. Teams have looked terrible one week and great the next, or dominant against a certain team and then surprisingly struggle against another. It feels like an up and down roller-coaster ride at times, but the key is to sustain the proper perspective throughout the season and remain even-keeled.

Players have to constantly remind themselves that it’s a 17-week season and they have to be careful not to focus so much on one loss or one win. Bills defensive lineman, Kyle Williams, put it this way:

“I didn’t feel desperate at 0-2. We didn’t expect to be there, but we weren’t going to get too low. We’re not going to get too high after two wins in a row either. It’s a long year. We have to look at it that way.”

Bills’ running back, LeSean McCoy, said, “In this league, you can’t get too high or too low. When we were 0-2 guys had the same mindset that we had to get better. This game was a big win for us. It was a divisional game. Other than that it was another win. We’re 2-2. It’s a long season. Your mindset has to be to just keep going forward.”

This mindset is similar to one we must be reminded to implement in our own lives. It’s all too common to get overly excited when things go well, and then extremely disappointed when difficulties come along.

We end up riding an emotional roller coaster based on our circumstances, instead of remaining level-headed and rooted in Christ no matter what. When our happiness is only attached to things going our way, instead of our joy and contentment being found in Jesus, we will be up and down all the time.

Paul sums it up in a wonderful way in Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV): “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Our strength is found in Jesus and through His power, we are able to handle any situation with the proper perspective and trust. Circumstances can be good or bad, but our contentment can remain the same. Life’s challenges will come and go, but God is with us through it all. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that I would find my contentment in Jesus instead of allowing circumstances to dictate how I feel. I pray I would rely on You for strength to overcome any and all situations in life, whether good or bad. I ask that you would help me to keep the proper perspective while remaining level-headed. I pray all this in Jesus’ name, Amen.