Unpack This... What It Takes for a ComebackSample

A Crazy Game With Composure

During the 2022 NCAA Tournament, sports fans witnessed a crazy game with eight-seeded UNC pulling out a 93-86 upset over the reigning National Champions, Baylor, in overtime.

Although UNC was leading most of the game (up 25 points in the second half), it started slipping away with 10:08 left in regulation. The momentum flipped toward Baylor as they outscored UNC 38-13 during the final ten minutes of the second half, which sent the game into overtime.

Surprisingly, the game flipped back toward UNC’s favor as they outscored Baylor 13-6 and advanced to the Sweet 16.

In going from a blowout game to a close game, analyst, Wally Szczerbiak, made this observation: “No matter what the score is on the scoreboard you better keep your composure because the game can flip quickly.”

This game demonstrated how a team can’t assume they’re going to hang onto a big lead or give up when losing. Both coaches helped their players by remaining calm and keeping their composure during the huddle and on the sideline.

We all have situations that test our composure, but as followers of Jesus, when a “lead” starts to slip, we can trust God’s in control. By listening to Him in the “huddle” and looking to Him “on the sideline,” we can keep our composure.

He’s powerful enough to remove any storm and willing to give us the peace and strength we need to get through it. The Bible gives a wonderful example of this in Mark 4:35-40 when the disciples take Jesus in a boat and a fierce storm comes up, filling it with water.

While Jesus is sleeping, His disciples wake Him up by shouting, “Teacher, don’t You care that we’re going to drown?” Jesus immediately stops the wind and calms the waves and asks the disciples why they had such little faith.

Our challenge today is to keep our composure when having a 25-point lead or dealing with difficulties and storms. We can be assured that Jesus is on our sideline and in our boat, able to “flip circumstances” around quickly, so we never have to panic or be afraid.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You know what I’m facing today. Help me rely on Your peace and keep my composure as the storms arise…placing my faith in Jesus. In His name, I pray, Amen.