Experiencing a Blowout

If you woke up today and checked the box scores for yesterday's MLB games, you had to readjust your eyes to make sure you were reading the Brewers-Mariners score correctly!

In an absolutely lopsided game, the Seattle Mariners were dominated by the Milwaukee Brewers 22-0. That's right, that's the score for a baseball game!

It was actually 1-0 after the top of the fifth inning, and then the Brewers scored five runs in the fifth, five in the sixth, two in the seventh, and nine more in the eighth. The Brewers overwhelmed and embarrassed the Mariners.

In the eighth inning, center fielder Julio Rodriguez caught a fly ball, didn't know how many outs there were, and threw the ball to the crowd. It was only the second out, and the Brewers scored 2 more runs because of the error.

According to SI.com, "The 22–0 win is tied for the most lopsided shutout victory in modern MLB history. The Pirates beat the Cubs by the same score on Sept. 16, 1975, and Cleveland beat the Yankees on Aug. 31, 2004. The last team to score more than 22 runs in a shutout was the 1887 Philadelphia Quakers, who beat the Indianapolis Hoosiers, 24–0."

According to MLB.com, "It was the biggest home shutout in 141 years, going all the way back to when the Giants defeated the Buffalo Bisons, 24-0, on May 27, 1885. Two teams have won 22-0 games in the years since -- Pittsburgh in 1975 and Cleveland in 2004 -- but both did so while on the road."

Of course the Brewers are feeling strong and accomplished today after their historic blowout. Meanwhile, the Mariners must feel overwhelmed, outmatched, limited, defeated, embarrassed, and discouraged.

The scoreboard didn't look pretty for them yesterday, and they're wondering how to overcome it, move on from such a tough loss, and keep going. The good thing about baseball, though, is they play each other again today, and the Mariners can get back on track!

If we're honest, there are many days when we wake up feeling more like the Mariners than the Brewers. We feel overwhelmed and discouraged by life's difficulties and responsibilities, and everything surrounding us seems so bleak.

One thing after another seems to be going wrong, and we feel stuck, outmatched, limited, embarrassed, and defeated. We wonder how to keep going when we're so beat up and dominated by life's challenges.

When questioning how we will stay on track and persevere after the latest setback, we thankfully have an answer as followers of Jesus.

Turning to God's Word reminds us that His power and strength are available, so we don't have to be outmatched.

Although this life will beat us up, and sometimes we'll get dominated, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT) encourages us: "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed."

Psalm 145:18-19 (NLT) tells us, "The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cries for help and rescues them."

In sports, it's hard enough to lose, but when you get blown out and dominated, it's even harder to keep going.

For those of us today who can relate to similar feelings in light of the latest developments in our lives and the discouraging defeats, we must continue to persevere and endure, trusting that Jesus is still with us and will get us through.

Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT) says, "So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that He has promised."

James 5:10-11 (NLT) explains, "For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy."

Today, as we acknowledge the things that are overwhelming us and leaving us feeling beat up and discouraged, let's bring them to the feet of Jesus and rest in His grace, comfort, and mercy as He replenishes and refreshes us, so we can bounce back and keep going by continuing to do God's will.

I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I admit it's so hard to continue enduring the burdens I face. Please give me the strength to keep going, not to give up. I pray for patience as I confidently trust in You. Thank you for Your mercy and comfort when I feel overwhelmed and discouraged. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.