UNPACK This...Placing Trust in God's ProcessSample

In The Process Of Winning

Sam Miller once wrote a fascinating article on ESPN.com that described the six types of games that had taken place in the MLB playoffs.

After describing the six types of games, Miller wrapped up his article by saying:

"We use the word 'running' to describe a person in the middle of a run, or 'traveling' to describe a person in the middle of travels.

"We use the word 'losing,' though, to describe a team that's behind -- even though, these win expectancy graphs show us, the team that's behind is often in the middle of winning.

"By seeing the game as a story -- with a shape and a conclusion -- we can better understand what we actually saw. When the Padres trailed St. Louis in the sixth inning on Thursday, they weren't losing. They were winning.

"You can see it at the end of the story: They won. Down 6-2 in the sixth inning, they were in the process of winning."

We are in the middle of our own story, and sometimes it feels like we're losing. However, as followers of Jesus, we must change our perspective to recognize that we've already won in Him. No matter what's happening, we're actually "in the process of winning."

In the big picture, we know we've won because of Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:57 is a great reminder: "But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ."

As our story unfolds with difficult "innings," we can rest assured that we're still in the "middle of winning" because God is with us.

1 John 5:4-5 gives us this powerful affirmation: "For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God."

Let's remember that regardless of the inning we're in, we know we're in the middle of an amazing story that ends in victory!

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for my unique story of faith. Even through the challenges of this life, help me remember that I am winning because I'm in the middle of Your hands. I find my hope in You. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.