During every college basketball season, we wonder if we’ll witness an undefeated team who ends up with a National Championship win. Indiana was the last team to experience this extraordinary achievement with a 32-0 record all the way back in 1976.  

Gonzaga was heading down that path this season, with a 29-0 record, until they fell to BYU 79-71 on Saturday. They are a talented team, and many people still expect them to make a run in the NCAA Tournament in March, but now they must deal with an upset loss on their record.

Of course, a team wants to go undefeated and never deal with a loss, but any time a team goes this late into the season undefeated, the question is raised whether a loss is good for them.

Gonzaga wishes they maintained the momentum to do something historic, but a loss like this could end up being beneficial to them. It could actually refocus them and force them to make crucial adjustments moving forward.

ESPN’s Mike and Mike and PJ Carlesimo were talking about this earlier today. They made the point that “you make it work to your advantage.”

They went on to explain that Gonzaga’s approach should be “this is the situation, let’s make it work best for us,” and that the coach should “use it to fuel them.”

Just because Gonzaga lost, and their hopes at an undefeated season are over, doesn’t mean they give up on the bigger goal of winning a National Championship.

In life, we also wish we could go undefeated and be free from any losses or disappointments. The reality is, however, that we all face a “loss” of some sort at different times throughout our lives.

When we experience major losses, they may derail our plans or temporarily set us back. But as followers of Jesus, we can’t give up on the bigger goal of becoming more like Him and bringing glory to God as we experience His love and grace.

When we view a “loss” through this lens, we can allow God to “make it work to our advantage” and “use it to fuel us.” The loss can be beneficial by deepening our faith and dependence on God, as well as, developing our character.

The Bible puts our “loss” and suffering into perspective in Romans 5:3-5 (ESV): “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

We all want to win in sports and life, but enduring a loss can actually be a valuable game-changer. If we choose not to give up and lean in closer to God, He will turn our loss into future victory and “make it work to our advantage.” I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, as much as I want my life to be free from pain and suffering, I believe that You can use it to grow me and change me. I know through the loss You reveal yourself and strengthen me, while also develop my faith and character. Please help me to have the right perspective when I experience a loss. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.