UNPACK This...About WaitingSample

The NBA Finals We've Been Waiting For The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavs battled for the NBA Championship from 2015 to 2018. In all four regular seasons, both teams endured 82 games while facing injuries...making team chemistry adjustments...and dealing with the controversy over resting players. Then they fought through the process of winning four games per round in the playoffs and beating three teams to win their conference, which resulted in facing off in the Finals. Many of us get tired of this inevitable pairing and regard the regular season and playoffs as a waste of time. We just wish they’d jump right to the Championship. But there is a process that needs to take place in order to learn, grow, and build into teams that are better prepared to compete in the Finals. We are better able to endure the waiting in hopes of seeing an exciting rematch between two great teams. Many of us today probably wish we could fast forward through waiting periods or difficult times in our lives. We don’t want to wait one more day for the new job or promotion…or go through the process of getting healthy, graduating college, finding a spouse or having a baby. Although we may ask why we have to wait so long for an outcome we so desperately want, the process before the blessing is what makes the blessing so worthwhile. It’s in the buildup, the delays, and the waiting on God that draw us to Himself. The experience is painful, but when we obediently trust Him our character is developed and our faith grows deeper. Ultimately, we are filled with even more thanksgiving after receiving our answered prayers The Bible offers us hope in Galatians 6:9 (NLT): "So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up." Today, let’s be encouraged not to give up. Let's believe that at the right time, we’ll experience the “Finals” we’ve been waiting for. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me be strong and patient during the process of waiting, and not waste the time before the blessing. Enable me to trust that You're working in me as You prepare me for what is next. Thank you in advance for the blessing that is coming. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. For more sports and faith devotionals, visit unpackinit.com