top of page

Fans Want Answers

Writer's picture: Bryce JohnsonBryce Johnson

Carolina Panthers’ general manager, Dave Gettleman, was fired yesterday by owner, Jerry Richardson. He had a solid run since 2013, including being named NFL’s Executive of the Year for the 2015 Super Bowl roster he put together.

News of his firing came as a surprise (especially days before the team heads to training camp) with Gettleman appearing to have constructed another good roster for another special season.

The reason for his firing isn’t exactly clear, but many signs point to the way Gettleman poorly handled veteran contracts, and how legendary Panthers have left the franchise on bad terms.

At this point, fans are demanding answers as to why the front office has gone through such drastic changes in the last few months. Unfortunately, with yesterday’s news coming out with a vague written statement from the owner, fans are left to read between the lines and draw their own conclusions.

Charlotte Observer columnist, Scott Fowler, wrote a column today with the headline: “Mister Richardson, Panthers Fans Deserve More Explanation Than ‘Because I Said So.’” Fowler went on to write, “The Panthers need to issue a press release that goes into some sort of realistic detail about what just happened and what the plan is next.”

I’ll admit, as a Panthers fan myself, I would love to hear a full explanation for what’s going on behind the scenes and be provided some details about the future of the team.

However, I think a reasonable sports fan realizes that some of the information needs to be kept private until the proper time to reveal it. Also, Jerry Richardson is the owner and I am not.

As we think about fans demanding answers and wanting to know the why, we can find ourselves in a similar situation when it comes to questioning God. Things happen in our lives that we don’t understand, and God’s plans seem vague to us at times. We want to know what He’s up to...why He allowed something to happen...and when He’s going to answer our prayers.

In our own pride, we think we “deserve” to know what’s going on and want an explanation beyond “because I said so.”

However, God is God and we are not. The Bible explains this in Psalm 135:6(ESV): "Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps."

When we take a step back and truly surrender to God’s sovereignty, power, and goodness, we can trust that His will is best, and that He will show us what we need to know when we need to know it. In the meantime, instead of always asking why, we can rest in knowing God is in control and He’ll work things out for good. We need to remember who God is, and not forget the reality of His grace and mercy and the fact that He doesn’t owe us anything.

When we find ourselves confused and looking for answers, we can trust the promise in Isaiah 55:9 (NLT): "For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts."

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’m sorry I spend so much time trying to figure everything out and always asking why. I pray I would rest in Your goodness and trust Your sovereignty. I believe You’ve revealed so much through Your Word, and You light the path I should take. I pray I would be patient and humble when I don’t know exactly what You’re up to. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

0 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Receive Our Email Devotional

Thanks for Joining!

© 2025 by UNPACKIN' it Ministries 

bottom of page