"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Tim. 1:7
One thing I love about my husband is how he always pulls for the underdog in any sporting event . . . if his favorite team isn't playing. Although I'm not a sports enthusiast, I do like to try to show some interest in the things that appeal to my husband, so whenever he's watching a game on TV I always ask him, "So, who are we pulling for in this game?"
Most of the time he responds something like this:
"Well, I don't really care for either team, but ________ is expected to lose, so I'm pulling for them."
Doesn't make any sense, does it? Part of me thinks that he just likes to see sports strategists proved wrong! He loves to see the underdog win, especially in a hard fought battle, and then his famous saying is:
"And that's why you play the game!"
What he means by that is that even though all of the odds seemed to be stacked against a particular team, the odds aren't always right. If wins and losses were predetermined by the spectators and commentators, then the underdogs would never have the opportunity to prove everyone wrong. So that's why you play the game!
Have you known someone that seemed as if all of the odds were stacked against them? Perhaps they came from a severely broken home. Perhaps they made poor choices in their teenage or young adult years. Perhaps they just never seem to get a good break in life. Whatever their particular situation might be, they have seemed to be an underdog in the game of life.
As believers, God calls us to speak words of encouragement and to be cheerleaders for those people we know who are projected to fail in life. Our words have the potential to speak truth and offer hope to the underdogs of this world. I can only imagine what might happen if more people took the time and effort to be an encourager to the people that God places in our paths on a daily basis, from the cashier at the fast food drive-thru to the co-worker down the hall to the people in our own homes.
I personally don't feel like I have mastered this calling. Since I am still working on how to be a better encourager, I love reading Scripture that paints a beautiful picture of what Godly encouragement looks like. Paul might be known for his fascinating missionary journeys and for his major contribution to what we know today as the New Testament, but what he was able to offer by the way of encouragement is quite inspiring.
Specifically, Paul offered young Timothy some words of encouragement in his letters that he wrote to him. Although very effective for the cause of Christ, Timothy could very well be considered an underdog. He was believed to be in his mid-30s (or younger) and that was quite young in that day and time for a man of his age to be in the position of influence and leadership that Timothy was in.
In Paul's second letter to him, he tells him that he's praying for him, that he recognizes the sincerity of his faith, and that he knows God has gifted Him with a calling on his life. Young Timothy probably perked right up whenever he read those words that his mentor had penned. As we see in today's focal verse, Paul then spoke powerful words of encouragement by reminding Timothy that God has equipped us with exactly what we need to confidently carry out His will. God desires that we tap into the power that He has given us, rather than being consumed with fear that the devil tries to instill in us.
If you know someone who lacks in the area of self-confidence and who always seems to be playing against the odds, will you speak a word of encouragement into their life today? If you don't know exactly what to say, follow Paul's lead.
Tell that person that you are praying for them (only if you are). Then find something positive to say about their faithfulness or their perseverance or something they are gifted at. Sometimes people just need to be reminded that there is something good in their life. Then, use today's verse to remind them that God has bestowed upon them a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline that can help guide them through the ups and downs of this fierce game of life.
God wants to use your voice to speak words of affirmation and encouragement to a very downcast and discouraged world. Will you be God's mouthpiece today? Who knows, it just might be your encouraging words that gives the underdog a "win" in life. And as my husband would say, "That's why you play the game!"
One thing I love about my husband is how he always pulls for the underdog in any sporting event . . . if his favorite team isn't playing. Although I'm not a sports enthusiast, I do like to try to show some interest in the things that appeal to my husband, so whenever he's watching a game on TV I always ask him, "So, who are we pulling for in this game?"
Most of the time he responds something like this:
"Well, I don't really care for either team, but ________ is expected to lose, so I'm pulling for them."
Doesn't make any sense, does it? Part of me thinks that he just likes to see sports strategists proved wrong! He loves to see the underdog win, especially in a hard fought battle, and then his famous saying is:
"And that's why you play the game!"
What he means by that is that even though all of the odds seemed to be stacked against a particular team, the odds aren't always right. If wins and losses were predetermined by the spectators and commentators, then the underdogs would never have the opportunity to prove everyone wrong. So that's why you play the game!
Have you known someone that seemed as if all of the odds were stacked against them? Perhaps they came from a severely broken home. Perhaps they made poor choices in their teenage or young adult years. Perhaps they just never seem to get a good break in life. Whatever their particular situation might be, they have seemed to be an underdog in the game of life.
As believers, God calls us to speak words of encouragement and to be cheerleaders for those people we know who are projected to fail in life. Our words have the potential to speak truth and offer hope to the underdogs of this world. I can only imagine what might happen if more people took the time and effort to be an encourager to the people that God places in our paths on a daily basis, from the cashier at the fast food drive-thru to the co-worker down the hall to the people in our own homes.
I personally don't feel like I have mastered this calling. Since I am still working on how to be a better encourager, I love reading Scripture that paints a beautiful picture of what Godly encouragement looks like. Paul might be known for his fascinating missionary journeys and for his major contribution to what we know today as the New Testament, but what he was able to offer by the way of encouragement is quite inspiring.
Specifically, Paul offered young Timothy some words of encouragement in his letters that he wrote to him. Although very effective for the cause of Christ, Timothy could very well be considered an underdog. He was believed to be in his mid-30s (or younger) and that was quite young in that day and time for a man of his age to be in the position of influence and leadership that Timothy was in.
In Paul's second letter to him, he tells him that he's praying for him, that he recognizes the sincerity of his faith, and that he knows God has gifted Him with a calling on his life. Young Timothy probably perked right up whenever he read those words that his mentor had penned. As we see in today's focal verse, Paul then spoke powerful words of encouragement by reminding Timothy that God has equipped us with exactly what we need to confidently carry out His will. God desires that we tap into the power that He has given us, rather than being consumed with fear that the devil tries to instill in us.
If you know someone who lacks in the area of self-confidence and who always seems to be playing against the odds, will you speak a word of encouragement into their life today? If you don't know exactly what to say, follow Paul's lead.
Tell that person that you are praying for them (only if you are). Then find something positive to say about their faithfulness or their perseverance or something they are gifted at. Sometimes people just need to be reminded that there is something good in their life. Then, use today's verse to remind them that God has bestowed upon them a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline that can help guide them through the ups and downs of this fierce game of life.
God wants to use your voice to speak words of affirmation and encouragement to a very downcast and discouraged world. Will you be God's mouthpiece today? Who knows, it just might be your encouraging words that gives the underdog a "win" in life. And as my husband would say, "That's why you play the game!"
After more than 2 years of self induced seclution...finally finding Facebook..... I'm now getting back in the game...trying to improve my game....failing sometimes....but I know I'll ultimately win the game ...not because of my success but because of my #1 Fan.........praising my God....and thank you for encouraging me.
ReplyDeleteWe've ALL been the underdog who needed encouragement at some point in time. I'm thankful you're back in the game and allowing God to use you as an encouragement to others now.
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