The M.E.T.ASample

Warzone gets me so worked up. 

Like the final circle, crazy worked up. 

My hands get sweaty. 

Sometimes, my hands even get shaky. 

It's late at night. 

I'm gaming in Roscoe's room. The pressure is REAL. 

I say to myself, "All I need to do is kill these two guys to win the game."

The gas is all around me. 

I've got plenty of bullets. 

But, I'm still freaking out. 

I never win, so this is a big moment. 

And then, just like that, I freeze up, get shot, and die. 

Game over, I didn't clutch up and I didn't get the dub. 

The pressure was too much. 

I got worked up. 

I blew it.

The end. 

The only time I ever felt THAT worked up was when I lost a bunch of money. 

"How much money?" 

"Like, all of it." 

It was my life savings, it was six figures, and it was during Covid. 

Just like that, everything GONE.

Some people may be ok with losing six figures, I was not.

This was EVERYTHING to me.

The pressure broke me. 

I was devastated. 

I was broke and busted up. 

I needed to breathe. 

The pressure was nuts. 

All I could do was lay down. 

I felt like the ultimate failure. 

I was the guy investing in the stock market and losing. 

I - was - that - guy. 

All I could hear in my mind was:

loser

idiot 

bum 

worthless

dumb

stupid

failure 

you suck 

the dumbest person on planet Earth

how could you let that happen? 

broke 

you'll never make it back 

If you ever get those same feelings or thoughts, keep reading, this is for you. 

When I look back, I was allowing pressure to navigate my life. 

That was a big mistake. 

I was trying to do everything. 

Trying. 

Trying. 

Trying. 

Doing. 

Doing. 

Doing. 

I needed to let God be God. 

The pressure I was feeling, I needed to give it to Him. 

I was getting so worked up on creating this perfect life for myself and my family, I lost sight of WHO created me. 

I forgot that God didn't bring me this far, to only bring me this far. 

I’m still alive. 

God has my back. 

He knows what is best for me. 

It took losing it all, to rediscover a buried gift. The gift of writing was awakened. In my most broken moment, I turned to God and started writing. It was a lifesaver and still is today. 

Before I go, let me tell you how this story ends. 

A year after losing it all, I had everything restored. 

Not only was it restored, but 30% was added to it. 

It is a miraculous story. 

I didn't try any get-rich-quick schemes. 

I didn't find a lost treasure. 

I definitely didn't win any Warzone tournaments. 

I just started applying THE M.E.T.A to my life. 

I gave the pressure to God. 

(Still haven't worked out how to do this in Warzone)

I stopped TRYING so hard. 

I started THANKING God for what I do have. 

My mind and heart were aligning. 

Peace was being restored to my soul. 

I was feeling hope again. 

(You can read more about this story in my Whispers devotional)

It was a dark patch but I came through it. 

That's what my hope is for you. 

Yes, there will be dark days. 

Tough days. 

Horrible days. 

But stand tall. 

Get the Meta for your situation. 

Use it to your advantage. 

And, let me remind you again. 

The world needs what you have. 

You're a gift. 

Unique. 

Life is better because of you. 

Don't worry - be happy! 

Choose joy today and all day. 

Now, go clutch up and get that dub.

Love you - Anthony 

**If this devotional has been helpful, or you just want to say hey, email me anthony.thompson@hillsong.com or add me on Warzone: holaratcha#6848549