Jameis Winston is an up and coming young quarterback for the Tampa Bay Bucs. He still has a lot to learn before becoming one of the best in the league, but he implements an interesting strategy to help him “move on to the next play” that his quarterbacks coach, Mike Bajakian, taught him.

Knowing that the NFL is fast-paced and another snap comes up quickly, Winston uses a phrase called “snap and clear” to remind himself that the last play is over. This encourages him to make sure he stays focused on the next opportunity instead of looking back.

Winston said, “I don’t think a mistake will ever eat at me, just because of my confidence and it’s just my mentality that if I fall down, I’m going to get back up. I’m not going to just sit down and harp on it.”

NFL QBs don’t want to make mistakes or throw interceptions, but when they do they must recognize the issue and move on. As followers of Jesus who rest in God’s grace, we can implement the “snap and clear” mentality in how we view ourselves and others.

We don’t desire to mess up, and certainly don’t want others hurting us either, but forgiveness and moving forward are important in both instances. The “snap and clear” phrase can be translated to “confess and forgive.”

We must forgive ourselves and others while receiving God’s forgiveness, and understand the negative effects if we “sit down and harp on it” for too long. Grace and mercy are available to us, but we have to let go.

Scripture affirms that we should acknowledge when we blow it, then learn from it and “move on to the next play.” 1 John 1:9 (ESV) says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Proverbs 28:13 (NLT) also tells us, People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.”

Today, let’s experience freedom as we “snap and clear” or “confess and forgive” while seeking to obey and honor God with our lives. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’m so grateful that I can come before a Holy God and confess my sins. Please forgive me and help me to move forward knowing You show me grace and mercy through Jesus. I pray I’ll have the strength to forgive others and not dwell on the past. In Jesus’ name, Amen.