UNPACK This...Persevering With PurposeSample

Run Through Or Away From Adversity

After winning the Super Bowl in 2021, the 2022 season was a disaster for the Los Angeles Rams. They finished 5-12, the worst record ever for a team that won the Super Bowl the previous season.

The losses in 2022 took a toll on Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay. He contemplated walking away from his team, knowing that staying the course may be hard.

But, despite the concerns, he eventually announced that he wasn’t going anywhere. He told Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, “I don’t want to run away from adversity; I want to run through it.”

As we consider McVay’s decision to stick it out, we are encouraged to embrace this same approach. We all face seasons of adversity where it’s tempting to look for ways to run away. But we can embrace adversity when we realize there's value in going through it.

We can choose to view the tough road ahead as an opportunity for God to accomplish His will in our lives as He transforms us and deepens our faith.

James 1:2-4 tells us to “Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.”

We ought to be grateful Jesus didn’t run away from adversity but instead accomplished His Father's will.

He prayed this before going to the cross in Luke 22:42: “’…Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.’”

Today, instead of looking to “run away from adversity,” let’s lean into God as He helps us “run through it.” We can count on Him to use our trials to accomplish His plan as we become more like Jesus.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I admit to sometimes wanting to give up when things get tough. However, I know You are using my trials to accomplish Your will and strengthen my faith. Help me to trust You as I go through difficulties. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.