UNPACK This...Keep on PrayingSample

While Waiting Like Donnie Shell

After retiring as a five-time Pro Bowler and four-time Super Bowl champion, former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back, Donnie Shell, waited 33 years before being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

Having endured many years of waiting for the Hall of Fame, Donnie maintained a faithful perspective throughout the wait that we can be encouraged by.

When joining us on The UNPACKIN' it Podcast, he shared these insights about his journey:

“It got frustrating…I just kept holding on to God…holding on to the things I know about the Scriptures and who He is…”

After he was named a Hall of Fame finalist in 2002, his prayer request was, “Lord, I want to be in the Hall of Fame.”

As the years went by, his prayer changed to this: “Lord, let Your will be done.”

He said, “God didn’t change my desire for it [making the Hall of Fame], He changed my attitude about how I was asking. He knew my heart, He knew I wanted it….I think the main thing is that I began to walk in step with Him instead of me walking out of step…It’s okay to ask the Lord for things and He hears us when we ask, but do you have the right attitude?”

Many of us may find ourselves in a season of waiting. We’ve made our desires known to the Lord, yet we continue to wait. While we do, what is our attitude? Are we trusting God or are we getting bitter?

Maybe we need to honestly pray, “Let Your will be done,” even if it means the outcome is different than we desire.

Jesus gave us the perfect example of a surrendered prayer while preparing to die on the cross for us: “And going a little farther He fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will’” (Matthew 26:39).

It’s really hard to wait, but we can trust in God’s plan, knowing that His timing and ways are best.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for hearing my prayers. I ask that Your will be done in my life. Please help me to have an attitude that reflects deep faith and trust in You. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.