Victory247

“Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” James 1:2-3 (NIV)

I coach high school level AAU basketball in the spring off-season. My team traveled to another city that uses their own referees to officiate the games.

Needless to say, we got the short end of the calls. One team we played even took advantage of the situation and played very rough and dirty. Our players were encouraged to play through it. They did. We outplayed the opponent, but we lost the game (by score only).

My post game talk was like today’s verse. I let the players know that even though we are upset that we lost, each of them got more out of this experience then the “home team” that we played. They got tougher, played together and worked harder than ever. “Getting better and growing as a person and a player is why we play in the off-season”.

In life, we come across hard times. Don’t walk away telling yourself that it was a waste of time. Realize that trials develop us as a “player” in the game of real life.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, help me to see “unfortunate” experiences as times of personal growth. Teach me to lean on You. Thank You for the blessings that will follow. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.