UNPACK this...From Slump to RestartSample

The Solution for a Slump

NFL kickers have a simple job—kick the ball through the uprights! But sometimes they overthink it, get out of rhythm, get distracted by the elements, and allow the defense to rattle them. They end up getting into a slump.

When it comes to our faith journey and pursuit of a deeper relationship with Jesus, many of us can also find ourselves in a slump. Similar to kickers, we can feel off, distracted, out of rhythm, and overthink things.

In those times of “missing the uprights” and uncharacteristically struggling to find a good balance and rhythm with the Lord, we must acknowledge it and cry out to Him in prayer.

David offers us this example in Psalm 13: “O Lord, how long will You forget me? Forever? How long will You look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?"

“Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, ‘We have defeated him!’ Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall. But I trust in Your unfailing love. I will rejoice because You have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because He is good to me.”

When kickers are in a slump, they need to focus on simplifying their mechanics, routines, and thought processes. Similarly, as followers of Jesus, we must focus on His simple call, which He wonderfully explains in Matthew 22:37-39: “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

By taking a step back and refocusing on this simple call, we can gain freedom, peace, and joy, and get back to a life of “hitting it through the uprights!”

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me not to overcomplicate my life or get caught up in the wrong things. Show me how to daily focus on loving You and loving people, so I can experience the amazing life You’ve planned for me. I trust in Your unfailing love. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.