The Questions We Face

It's only been one week of the NFL season, but the results of the first game and the outlook for the year ahead have led to questions as we analyze each team's situation.

On ESPN.com, NFL Nation reporters collaborated to provide some of the biggest questions asked after Week 1's games. Here are a few of them:

• "Can Josh Allen's brilliance make up for a defense that struggled mightily?"

  
  

• "How can the Bears' offense build momentum and keep it?"

  
  

• "How devastating was this loss for the Ravens?"

  
  

• "How long will the Titans be a run-heavy team with the No. 1 pick under center?"

  
  

• "How concerned should Detroit be with its offensive performance?"

  
  

• "Did the Bucs' win raise red flags or reflect a resiliency worth celebrating?"

I also have a few questions of my own:

• How long will Mike McDaniel remain as the Dolphins' head coach?

  
  

• Will Bryce Young bounce back after a tough showing in Jacksonville and start playing the way he did at the end of last season?

  
  

• How long will the Giants keep Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback?

  
  

• Did the Colts find a quarterback they can depend on?

Week 1 raised some questions for teams to consider, and it will be interesting to see how they address these questions and how they wrestle with them.

• Who will they turn to and listen to?

  
  

• Will they get the clarity and direction they are looking for?

  
  

• What will the answers be, and what actions will these teams take moving forward?

In sports, questions come up frequently, and the same is true in our daily lives. Many of us woke up today raising questions, wrestling with questions, and facing key questions based on recent "results" and our outlook for the season ahead.

Specifically, we may be analyzing certain situations, considering different choices we need to make, and wondering what we should do.

When we think about these questions, what are we doing with them?

Who are we turning to and listening to for answers?

Are we gaining the clarity and direction we are looking for?

Thankfully, as followers of Jesus, we can bring our questions and requests to God, knowing He hears us.

1 John 5:14-15 (NLT) says, "And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him. And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for."

So, are we turning to Him and asking Him or trying to figure things out ourselves?

Are we asking Him for things that please Him?

Are we listening to God for the answers, and are we obeying Him?

When we need wisdom and guidance, He will give it to us, but we must ask for it.

James 1:5 (NLT) states, "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking."

The Lord says in Psalm 32:8 (AMP), "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you."

As we seek God, humbly desire to do His will, and ask Him through prayer for direction and answers, He will show us what we need to know and do.

In Matthew 7:7 (AMP), Jesus implores us to, "Ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you."

The Lord tells Jeremiah in Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV), "Call to me, and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."

Today, let our questions draw us to God in fellowship as we trust Him for answers.

Jesus tells us in John 16:24 (AMP), "Until now you have not asked [the Father] for anything in My name; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy may be full and complete."

Let's continue to pray to God, asking Him to provide and guide us as we align our lives and desires with His and His purposes. Let’s seek Him first, delight in Him, and follow as He directs our steps.

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for hearing my requests and questions. I thank You for Your answers, even when they might not be what I want to hear. Please help my desires to be aligned with You, as I want to do what pleases You. Show me the way I should go, and please give me the wisdom I need to make choices that are in accordance with Your will. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.