The Durability Factor | FFF Friday

As Fantasy Football managers, we consider many different factors before selecting a player during a Fantasy Draft. Of course, we love talented players who have plenty of opportunities to score, play on an NFL team with an elite offense, and have high upside.

But one of the most important indicators of a player's impact on our Fantasy team is how healthy they are and how many games they play. In other words, it’s critical to have a Fantasy roster filled with durable, tough, and reliable players. 

On the flip side, we want to avoid players who seem to miss time with a minor injury and don't push through when they're hurt.

Over the past five seasons, several players at each position have demonstrated great durability.

Quarterbacks include Josh Allen, Jared Goff, Jalen Hurts, and Baker Mayfield. These guys can handle the hits and are willing to play through injuries.

Wide receivers who consistently show up include D.J.Moore, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Courtland Sutton.

Running back is the position that seems to encounter the most injuries. However, the players who have demonstrated durability and availability over the last five years are Tony Pollard, Josh Jacobs, and Derrick Henry. 

At tight end, the players we have consistently been able to count on are Travis Kelce, Trey McBride, and Hunter Henry. They always seem to be out there catching touchdowns.

We understand that football is a physical sport and that injuries keep players sidelined. Still, when some players consistently demonstrate durability throughout their careers, they provide remarkable value to their NFL teams and to our Fantasy teams. 

The word durability means “the ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage,” and synonyms include longevity, ability to last, resilience, and strength.

Durable players can experience pain, get banged up, take a big hit, and keep going. It’s extremely difficult to move them off the field. They are strong and resilient, with careers that last.

Durability is not only an important quality for an NFL player but also critical in our own lives – especially when it comes to our faith.

What do we do when we encounter pressure or “damage”? Do we withstand and remain durable by trusting God…or do we give up and wither away? Can we experience pain, get banged up, take a big hit, and keep going?

The Bible says in James 1:12 (NLT), “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”

Would we describe ourselves as resilient, strong, and someone who continues to show up and persevere through each challenge?

We can be encouraged by 1 Corinthians 15:58 (AMP): “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].”

We must recognize that, to be truly strong, steadfast, immovable, and durable, we must fully rely on Jesus for His power to work through us. Yes, in life we will deal with pain and be weak, hurt, and banged up at times, but that’s when God gives us the durability and strength we need.

Paul describes this in 2 Corinthians 12:10 (AMP): ”So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].”

Today, let's “remain on the field” and keep going with durability as we embrace Christ’s strength and power. Let's endure the pressure and hits we will surely experience by trusting God with a faith that lasts.

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I desire to have a strong, immovable faith that can withstand the pressures and difficulties of life. I need Your strength to help me remain durable. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.