As football season kicks off, have you thought about how stressful being an NFL coach must be (or college coach, etc.)? I can’t remember where I came across this list, but take a moment and consider the stress of being an NFL coach:
- He has all eyes on him on Sunday.
- He has many personalities and players to relate to on the team.
- He deals with a competitive environment.
- He can be fired or on the hot seat at a moment’s notice.
- He must be careful with what he says on the field and off the field.
- He has to be knowledgeable about offense, defense, and special teams.
- He will have people play Monday morning quarterback.
- He sees many more people that are spectators than are players.
- He can face pressure to turn a team around quickly.
- He has to start getting ready for next Sunday as soon as this Sunday is over.
What I have just described is not just the pressure NFL coaches face. This is also what a pastor feels like he is facing. So let me ask you to pray for your pastor.
As pastors, we need to seek the strength of the Lord. We need to read the Word and pray. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We need to have fellowship too. We need know we too can turn to the Lord.
I can only imagine the stress and worries these coaches feel and face. Whether you are a pastor or not, we all feel stress, and we can all have our worries. 1 Peter 5:7 has blessed my soul recently, and I pray it will encourage you today:
“casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7)
1 Peter 5:7 starts off mid-sentence. When we go back to verse 6, we read, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you…”
How to do respond to the worries, the stress, the anxieties I may face?
Humble myself under the Lord. Pride is a real and present danger. Lord, forgive me. In my pride, I worry because of my self-sufficiency and self-reliance. In my pride, I can be anxious about the future. I need to humble myself “under the mighty hand of God.”
Hand off worries to the Lord. If you watch a football game this weekend, notice how everyone follows the quarterback until something happens – he hands the ball off. I need to hand-off my worries to the Lord. Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Who else but the Lord can make this promise?
Trust the Lord cares for you. Let this truth sink into your soul.
Father, in Your grace and mercy, you care for me. Your love is steadfast, strong, and stable. You are not surprised or caught off guard by the moments I face. I confess to You that I worry and can be anxious. I confess my pride. Thank You for Your forgiveness, for Your sanctifying purpose, and for Your presence in my life. You care for us. Therefore, I can cast my cares to you. Praise the Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Your brother in Christ,
BRIAN AUTRY
Executive Director
SBC of Virginia
P.S. In the weeks and months to come, SBCV has opportunities to encourage you in the Lord. The SBCV team stands ready to come alongside you and your church. Let us know how we can serve. Also, please join us for various upcoming opportunities local and statewide in the weeks ahead. And, please, make plans to join us for the SBCV Annual Homecoming, November 13-15 at First Baptist Roanoke. We need you there as we launch a year-long theme, “The Lord is with Us,” praying for revival and awakening, leading in His strength, as we live in the constant awareness of His presence.
