WEEK 32 DEVOTIONAL | BOUNCE BACK

Before every game, I say to my team, “We are going to do some great things out there. When we do, don’t get too high. Be consistent, and keep the momentum going by making the right, next play. We are also going to do some bad things out there. Don’t get too low. BOUNCE BACK by making the next right play.”

We can say the same thing about life. We have seasons where everything is going right and every decision we make seems like the right decision. We also have seasons where it feels like nothing is right and every decision we make is the wrong decision.

It is important to know that no matter what you have done, you can always BOUNCE BACK and get a fresh start. It can be a quick timeout in a game, or it can be a reset in life. Also know that God loves you and has a purpose for your life.

The Bible is full of comeback stories, and one of the most impactful is how Saul became Paul and one of the most important people in Christian history.

Saul was a Pharisee who persecuted the followers of Jesus. His goal was to get rid of believers of Jesus, and one day he went to Demascus to send all of the believers in the town to jail. While on the way, a light from heaven flashed around him. Saul fell to the ground and heard a voice say, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

Saul asked, “Who are you Lord?”

Jesus responded, “It is me, Jesus, who you are persecuting.”

Saul was blinded for 3 days, and his men led him to Demascus. Ananias, a disciple of Jesus, had a vision from Jesus to go to the house of Judas where he would restore Saul’s sight. Ananias was terrified because he knew that Saul was doing awful things to Jesus’s people, but Jesus reassured him that Saul was chosen to work for him.

Ananias was brave and trusted Jesus. He did as he was told, and Saul’s eye sight was restored. Saul thought he was doing the right thing, but Jesus stepped in and transformed him. Saul’s name became Paul and he went on to become a missionary for Jesus and one of the writers of our Bible.

The story of Paul’s reminds me that no matter what you have done, you can, BOUNCE BACK, have a comeback story, and overcome hurt and failure.

God is the chief of change. He is the king of fresh starts, new beginnings, and second starts. His mercy is new every morning.

If you want to go for it - if you want a great life, if you want a bigger role on your team, if you want to score more, do more, and be more, understand that you are going to get opposition from the devil. Plan for that and have a mindset for that. Paul wrote in 1st Corinthian 16:9, “A wide door has opened up to me, and many adversaries.” Jesus said, “The thief comes only to kill, steal, and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” He also said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

No matter what happens today, in this practice, this game, or this season, God has a plan for you. He has plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. You can BOUNCE BACK from anything. God will lead you, guide you, and support you. Cast all your cares, anxieties, worries, and concerns, once and for all on Him, for He cares about you and watches over you very carefully.

Then get to work building the kind of season, career, and life you want!!!

This Week

1 - Think of one time that you overcame something difficult. What is one thing that you learned about yourself in that process?

2 - What is one thing that you are going through right now that is difficult? What is one thing that you can do this week that will help you BOUNCE BACK?

Prayer

Our Father; thank you for the many blessings that you have given me. I know that you have wonderful plans for me and my life, but I also know that there will be trials, trouble, and adversaries along the way. I pray for strength, for guidance, for love, for peace, and for joy. I pray that through it all, I am able to love, serve, and bring joy to others as I demonstrate your love. In Jesus’s name, I pray, amen.

For a Google Doc version of this devotional, click here: Week 32 Devo | Bounce Back