Ups and Downs
Life always has its ups and downs. Seldom is there a smooth balance between wins and losses, successes and failures. The secret to Christian faith is to see that God is in every situation and working to help us see that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28)
A great football player who navigated this so well is Russell Wilson. His professional football career is a good study in how to handle these things.
Wilson played ten seasons for the Seattle Seahawks, two for the Denver Broncos, and one for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has seen the highs and the lows in each situation, but his faith was always strong, and he was always willing to thank God for the situation in which he found himself.
He was highly successful. He was named to the Pro Bowl nine times. He holds the NFL record for the most passing yards in a playoff game by a rookie—385 yards. He has a record for the most fourth quarter touchdown passes in a season—16. He holds the record for the most wins by an NFL quarterback for nine seasons. He is one of only five quarterbacks with a career passer rating over 99.
He led the Seattle Seahawks to their first Super Bowl championship. He has been named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2020). In 2015, he was NFL passing rating leader. He was the NFL passing touchdown leader in 2017. He won the Bart Starr Award in 2020.
He was on top of the world, but then his world changed. He wasn’t as productive as was expected at Seattle, so he was traded to the Denver Broncos. He had difficulties there and had to sit on the bench and then was released in the off season.
How did Wilson handle this? He gave a lengthy thank you message to the Broncos and to the fans in Denver. He said, “This city will always hold a special place in my heart. My family grew here and we made countless memories and friendships and formed relationships that will last a lifetime.”
He also thanked his teammates saying, “I am blessed with the impact you had on my life. I am beyond grateful for all of you and to have been able to run out on field as your teammate was an honor.” He gave a strong finish to his marvelous witness when he said, “Tough times don’t last but tough people do. God’s got me. I am excited for what’s next.”
His wife Clara had a son from a previous relationship. When asked how he could be a father to somebody else’s child. He said, “I was ready for that. Even Jesus himself, like Joseph, was a stepdad to all of us He adopted.” He said, “God, I know you’re going to give me this opportunity to love the way you loved, the love that you want us to have.”
The difference in winning and losing is different. We tend to look only at the score—Russell looked at it as to how God could use it for His glory. Many athletes who we think are winning, are really losing. When everybody thought Russell was losing, he was really winning!
How do you handle the ups and downs of life? Some people are up, and it becomes their downfall. Some people are down, and it becomes their upward call from God.
How do you handle the ups and downs?
