UNPACK This...Confession Leads to Growth and HealingSample

Bad Decision On A Monday Night

In the opening Monday Night Football game of the 2022 season, the Denver Broncos were marching down the field attempting to win the game against the Seattle Seahawks.

On 4th-and-5, with his team losing 17-16, Broncos head coach, Nathaniel Hackett, chose to kick a 64-yard field goal instead of leaving the offense on the field. It didn’t work out, as Brandon McManus missed the extremely long field goal attempt and the Broncos lost the game.

Afterward, Hackett justified the call he made to the media. However, when he spoke again to reporters the next day, he said, “Looking back at it, we definitely should have gone for it.”

Instead of stubbornly giving excuses or blaming someone else, Hackett owned the mistake he made. He said, “In the end, it lies on me. I made that decision.”

Although Hackett had to deal with the consequences of his decision, he was willing to acknowledge he made the wrong call and focus on improving while moving forward.

You and I are also prone to making poor decisions in life. The question becomes, will we own the mistake, or will we look to make excuses and shift the blame?

When it comes to sinful decisions, will we humble ourselves and confess, or will we pridefully and stubbornly double down, justify, or deny it was the wrong thing to do?

1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].”

Unfortunately, there will be times when we miss the mark and need to admit that, “In the end, it lies on me. I made that decision.”

But when we do mess up, let’s be willing to acknowledge we made the wrong call, accept the consequences, and receive God’s grace and forgiveness. Let’s ask Him for wisdom and guidance to help us handle a similar situation differently the next time we face it.

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the grace You show me. I pray I won’t be filled with excuses and blame. Help me to own my mistakes, learn from them, and move forward. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.