As sports fans, we are drawn to rivalries, competition, tension, and unique personalities. Most of the time this plays out on the field, but often the drama of sports spills into the offseason and situations away from the field.
The sports media eats up controversies between players, coaches, and/or management. They will spend all day dissecting what a player said and guessing how the team will respond.
The media picks sides when sports feuds take place, stirs up disputes, and escalates the situations when players and/or teams are at odds with one another.
As we all know, there are a few ongoing sagas taking place across the sports world including conflict between Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, as well as, Brooks Koepka vs. Bryson DeChambeau in golf.
Throw in the trade demand of Deshaun Watson, the frustration Russell Wilson had earlier this year with Seattle, and Trae Young vs. Knicks fans, and we’re witnessing a full display of grudges and tensions.
The Packers and Aaron Rodgers feud (the relationship receiving the most attention right now), often feels like it's fractured beyond repair. Even so, some fans are still holding out hope that the two sides can reconcile and go chase another Super Bowl together.
A Packers fan texted me this yesterday and I’d have to agree with his take on the matter:
“This might be our last window for the next five years so I say kiss and make up. Humility and forgiveness on both sides of any conflict can be a good thing.”
Although these words certainly ring true, humbling ourselves, forgiving others, and seeking reconciliation are difficult to do - in both sports and life.
The feuds we encounter are fueled by pride, a desire to be right, and getting what we want. However, in our misguided motivation to win, we allow fractured relationships and conflict to continue while bitterness, anger, and tension flourish.
As fun as a good sports feud is to talk about and debate, our goal in life shouldn't be to stir up and escalate conflict, but to move past our feuds so we can restore broken relationships and experience peace.
Even though this can be challenging, as followers of Jesus, we have His power within us that allows healing and forgiveness to take place.
Also, by understanding the grace and forgiveness we’ve been shown through Christ's humility on the cross, we’ll be willing to respond to others out of a heart that has been transformed by Him.
Colossians 3:12-13 (AMP) explains, “So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy and well-beloved , put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience ; bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.”
Mark 11:25 (NLT) adds, “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
Today, as we contemplate our once fractured relationship with God that seemed beyond repair, but through Jesus was mended, let’s place our hope in the One who forgives and restores and empowers us to do the same in our own “feuds.”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Father, thank You so much for sending Jesus to die on the cross so I can be reconciled to You. I praise Jesus for His humility and ask that You remove the pride that holds me back from seeking forgiveness. I pray I’d be a peacemaker and a quick forgiver who lives my life with an understanding of grace. Please reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What have been the most challenging feuds you’ve experienced in your own life?
How has God’s grace changed your perspective on forgiving others?
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