Play through Pain…Not just for the Team, but for the Godly Investment!

If you follow sports, you have heard many heralding stories of Athletes playing though pain. Many have conditioned themselves to play pass what their bodies are communicating. However, there is a Will that can override the objection of the body. Their decision to continue to play superseded the agony of their bodies not being at 100!

Let’s look at some Athletes who played through pain:

•1980 Los Angeles Rams, Jack Youngblood played in the Super Bowl XIV with a fractured leg.

•1985 San Francisco 49er, Ronnie Lott had an injury to his finger where a piece dislodged in the game. He had them wrap it up for him to play in the playoffs.

•2008 Tiger Woods won the US Open with a broken leg and torn ACL.

•2013 Liza Clemons was a Student Athlete at Purdue University. She played through a torn labrum and broken foot. Her pain did not end there. In the same year, she loss her fiancé to gun violence. During this time, it is reported that Clemons did not miss one practice, not from injury or grief.

You see, pain is not always relegated to the physical. There can be a heart pain that no doctor can touch and no medication can relieve. Oh, but there is a Balm in Gilead! The Lord has a way of reaching our heart and healing us to the point of total recovery. He will take our wounded heart and will us back to His Will.

Remembering the Investment God has made in our lives will keep us mindful of what we must do! Just as 2 Samuel 12:20 penned, “David got up from the ground, washed, anointed himself, changed his clothes, and went into the house of the LORD and worshiped.” There are so many miracles connected to saying, “Yes Lord.” The strength to get up again. The ability to worship. The endurance to see what the end will be. The will to show up for life after pain and injury. The privilege of lifting our hands to a Holy God. He is a very present Help. No pain, whether it be physical or mental can surpass God’s ability to see about you.

It is impossible for us to bring anything to God that He cannot grow us through. I have always been inspired by the story of Joseph. His brothers stood both in fear and then amazement by his desire not to harm them, but to provide for them. There was no tit-for-tat in Joseph. He understood what God would turn around for his good by what was meant from their evil.

There are acts that we can do in Christ that goes beyond human comprehension. Our focus often becomes what happens to us, but the real spotlight is Who happened to us? Think about the exchange that we gave God- an unyielding, tainted, self-seeking, egotistical, complaining, unrighteousness, prideful, and unforgiving life only to get from Him- holiness, the blueprint to die to self, humility, sober-mindedness, and endowed with an ability to forgive and even pray for our enemies. And just when you thought that was enough to drive the point home- the View of Calvary- Jesus giving His Life that we may have life! Truly take that in! How much do we owe?

Playing through Pain because of the Godly Investment will keep us grateful and kingdom-minded. Our show up points people to God and sends a message of the ability of God to build and shape us for what our lot entails. It goes without saying, God gives reprieves, but make no mistake about it- this Walk is not what we retire out of- it is what we are redeemed into for all eternity. You may be playing through pain right now. It may be the most excruciating pain you have ever experienced, but look up for a moment. The latter shall be greater. Keep your eyes on God and watch Him make the final play!

Divine Work & Pray:

Work:

Jot down in your journal some of the life injuries you have experienced recently (physically, emotionally, & spiritually). Write in detail how God brought you through each.

Pray:

Oh Lord, how excellent is your Name in all the earth. When I look back over my life and see all that you have brought me through. Every trial and tribulation was meant for me to keep my eyes on you. There were things that were working for my good that I could not imagine. May my mind be affixed on your sustaining and keeping power. Great is your faithfulness towards me. In your Mighty Name, in Jesus Name. Amen.