Will He Bounce Back?

As we prepare for a new Fantasy Football season and make our predictions and projections for each NFL player, remember what they did last year.

For many players, their seasons were disappointing, as they didn’t perform well or produce many Fantasy points. Some of those players had high expectations and were drafted early, and then let Fantasy managers down.

They may have struggled or had bad games due to injuries, a lack of focus, poor preparation, inadequate coaching, poor teammates, or other unfortunate circumstances. Sometimes it’s their fault, and other times it’s out of their control.

As we consider drafting players who had down seasons last year, the question becomes, will he bounce back? Do we trust his character and ability to turn things around?

As Fantasy Managers, we benefit from drafting those players who might slip in drafts based on last year’s poor performance, who bounce back with productive seasons.

The reality is, every Fantasy season, some players respond well and fight back after facing temporary adversity the prior year and bounce back in a big way.

They demonstrate an ability to recover from injuries or mistakes as they return to the type of player they are capable of being. They don’t remain the player who let everyone down, but rather, they bounce back thanks to their humility, confidence, focus, and determination.

Just as in Fantasy Football, the ability to bounce back, respond well to adversity, and recover from mistakes is crucial as we follow Jesus.

We know we’re not perfect and make mistakes. However, as we cling to Christ, we can bounce back and turn things around.

Proverbs 24:16 (NLT) encourages us with these words: “The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.”

We may struggle or have bad games because of “injuries,” a lack of focus, insufficient preparation, poor “coaching,” bad teammates, or other unfortunate circumstances. Sometimes it’s our fault, and at different times, the adversity we face is beyond our control.

When we struggle and have down days or seasons, the key is to respond well and not unravel. We must return to the type of person we are capable of being when we trust in and are empowered by Christ, remembering that our ultimate victory is in Him and that He is with us.

1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV) says, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We don’t have to remain the “player who let everyone down” or succumb to defeat in the face of adversity; instead, we bounce back by relying on Jesus for humility, confidence, focus, determination, and perseverance.

Proverbs 3:26 (AMP) tells us, “For the Lord will be your confidence, firm and strong, And will keep your foot from being caught [in a trap].”

Also, when we walk with Jesus and abide in Him, He will help us overcome our shame, regret, doubts, and negative thoughts and remind us of His grace and love.

Today, let's remember what Jesus did on the cross for us and the eternal life we have in Him. We don’t have to let adversity cause us to spiral downward or allow our sins to compound. Instead, we can bounce back, repent, and respond well as we rely on God.

Psalm 37:23-24 (AMP) tells us, “The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the Lord, And He delights in his way [and blesses his path]. When he falls, he will not be hurled down, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand and sustains him.”

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to bounce back in repentance, as my confidence is in Jesus. I confess my mistakes and sins. I pray that I won't allow shame to derail me, so I unravel and head down a path of more sin. Thank you for being the One who holds my hand, sustains me, and gives me the ability to respond well to adversity. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.