Responding to the Losers

We are in the middle of the Winter Olympics, and every time we tune in, we are witnessing remarkable athletes competing on the world's largest stage. As fans, watching from home, we admire the hard work, commitment, sacrifice, and unique gifts these athletes embody. 

When the individual or country we root for wins, we share in the excitement, celebrate the victory, and applaud their efforts. Sometimes, it even feels like when our country wins, we win too.

On the flip side, while the winners experience relief, happiness, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment upon receiving their gold medals, the losers face heartbreak, failure, disbelief, and unmet expectations. They, too, were dedicated, talented, and hardworking, yet things didn't turn out the way they had hoped.

As fans at home, we also feel for those who fall short of their goals or get injured and can't finish what they started. We love watching our country win and cheering for the athletes who succeed, but it's hard for us to watch the devastation when someone falls on the ice, misses the mark, or isn't at their best.

We know how much these athletes prepared and how invested they were, so we sympathize with what they must be going through when they realize their dream didn't come true. In many ways, even though we never met these athletes, we have to look away because it's so hard for us to bear, imagining the pain they’re experiencing.

This has already played out specifically for some marquee athletes, including the "Quad god" Ilia Malinin, who was the overwhelming favorite to win gold in the men's singles figure skating. Unfortunately for Ilia, he ended up finishing eighth after uncharacteristically falling twice during his free skate routine.

There’s no question that the American was talented enough and had the opportunity to win if he did what he was capable of, but the pressure overwhelmed him, and he lost. 

Those witnessing this shocking situation responded with empathy for what Malinin is dealing with. We understand how difficult this must be for him, given that he's only 21 and feels he's let himself, his family, his coaches, and even the country down.

When you consider that weight, that pain, and the reality he faces, you can't help but be sympathetic and compassionate toward him. Yes, he might have another chance in four years, but that doesn't diminish the heartache he's experiencing now.

Sports, and the Olympics in particular, uniquely offer the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. It's fun to share in the joy of winning, and that's what we love about sports, but the journey of being a sports fan leads us to put ourselves in athletes' shoes as we try to understand their perspective when they face defeat. 

In our own lives, we know we experience highs and lows, and we also witness others experiencing them. Romans 12:15 (NIV) tells us to "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." 

It's fun to celebrate with others and win together during the highs, but how willing are we to mourn with those who mourn during the lows?

As followers of Jesus, we are members of the body of Christ, and 1 Corinthians 12:26 (ESV) says, "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together."

We are on this journey together, and as followers of Jesus, we are connected and called to love and care for one another. That means we have to demonstrate empathy, sympathy, and compassion. 

1 Peter 3:8 (AMP) tells us, "Finally, all of you be like-minded [united in spirit], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted [courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household], and humble in spirit…"

Colossians 3:12 (ESV) implores us to "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…"

It's one thing to have empathy from afar, on the couch as we watch sports, but it's another challenge to truly enter into others' pain or suffering. Yet, what if we actually considered what others are going through and tried to understand their perspective?

Let's be honest: we're usually focused on our own challenges, concerns, desires, and efforts. But what if we allowed our hearts to move in humility as we pursue understanding and compassion?

What if we tried to see things from our spouses' perspective and realize what they face every day? What if we saw our kids or our parents through a different lens with empathy? What if this drove us to pray, serve, and encourage?

Sure, it's hard, and we'll want to look away, but people need us. When we know the pain people are going through, we must come alongside them, lift them, and show them that we get it. Maybe not fully, but we see them and what they're dealing with, and we join them in it.

To be more loving, empathetic, caring, and sympathetic, we must rely on the Holy Spirit and look to Jesus for inspiration.

We see how Jesus responded to the grief of Mary and Martha and the death of their brother Lazarus in John 11:33-35 (ESV): "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in His spirit and greatly troubled. And He said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said to him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus wept."

Today, as we remember how much Jesus cares about us and shows us empathy and compassion, let's not just sit by and watch others suffer. Instead, let's be driven to prayer and comfort as we feel their pain. Let's try to understand others' perspectives and the challenges they face, and show them sympathy and care.

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to be less selfish and more observant of what others are facing. Please help me to be more empathetic, sympathetic, and caring. Help me to be more like Jesus, and show me how to mourn with those who mourn. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.