Start your week right. Jump in the boat with the right mindset to overcome challenges you might meet. Ready to fill your tacklebox?
To tell you the truth, I did not want to write today. It took me all day to muster the strength to sit down at the keyboard. It is currently 8:04pm CST on 6/6/2022. I have a list of topics that I write down throughout the week to help jumpstart my writing and all of them seem trite and uninspired.
On Mondays, I have that Sunday sermon bounce headed into the week. This morning I prayed and then headed off to coach football practice; for me there are not too many ways I can start the day better. And then the world started hitting me. First my own personal world. Responses to emails not returned; texts sitting with no new messages. Deals “in the works” for months continue to be “in the works”. Receivables are still not received. It felt like everything was stuck in mud; or as my high school coach use to yell out as we ran… “SLOW AS MOLASSES”.
I pushed the negativity away and willed myself to focus on the things that I can do today. You know the things that I can control. I will send out the emails, pay the bills, send the follow ups and then I need to write.
What a shitty day I thought and I rarely swear but I am thinking today in swears now. I perused the news stories of the day. Wrong move, Coach. From vaccine deaths to non-stop transgender news (the NFL too! ugh!) to Cardi B being more of economic advisor than Cecilia Rouse in admitting we are officially in a recession. Well my world doesn’t matter as I see the whole world is off it’s rocker!
I do 10 push ups but I just want to take a nap. I sit down to write. Then the negative thoughts creep in! Why even do this blog? It doesn’t matter at all. It’s not going to change my life; anyone’s life. It’s definitely not going to change the world! I slam my laptop closed and storm out of my room looking for anything to change my thoughts. All the kids are holed up in their rooms. Worst is Mrs. Coach H is out at the store. Now I can’t even rant just to get the edge off. I fire off a half rant to a Brother in The Fishermen’s Club asking him what does he make of this world?
“Change your thoughts Coach” I say to myself. Every time I try, it is fleeting and the downward spiral continues. Why can’t I settle down? This is not like me to allow this kind of negativity to last more than a few minutes. I need to stop it. I take a nap.
When I wake I still feel the heaviness. I sit on the side of the bed refusing to get up until my mood changes. I wait and listen. And then that C.S. Lewis quote pops into my mind. No not the one about a glass of Port will make you happy, not Christianity even though I felt like I could use a drink.
“To what will you look for help if you will not look to that which is stronger than yourself?” (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)
“You just napped, Coach. It’s like a new day. This is the day that the Lord has made. You prayed this morning so how about opening up the Word? Listen.” said that still small voice.
These two verses read like I never had read them before.
Isaiah 41:10 KJV
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Philippians 4:12-13 KJV
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
I loved the use of the words abased and abound in verse 12. It caused me to read again a few times. I checked out a few other versions to help get meaning including the NIV below.
Phillipians 4:12-13 NIV
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
My mood changed for the better. A quiet moment with God to push out the world. Then my friend that I had texted called me and gave me a hope filled perspective on the events unfolding within the world. He also prayed for me. That prayer coupled with spending time with God gave me the strength and peace I needed today.
So how do you stop the downward spiral? Learn from Coach H’s sh…challening day.
Seek Him first.
Follow up with a Brother who can give you a fresh perspective. If you don’t have someone feel free to reach out to me if you are spiraling. My hope is that each of you find/builds a group of men locally that you can rely on to pull you out of your downward spirals. You know… a Fishermen’s Club.
Be strengthened this week,
Coach H
P.S. Not all the news was bad today. Check out this cancer study that 100% of the patients were cured!
We ALL have days like that... partially because our flesh has it's own inertia and it takes energy to steer it in the right direction. Relying on our own strength will only accelerate the downard spiral...been there, done that (more times than I'd like to admit)... Thanks for being so real and honest and allowing the Holy Spirit to minister to you... allowing Him to fill you with His Power and His Presence!
Don't believe the enemy's lies: that you efforts are in vain; that you can't make a difference... they aren't and you do!!... otherwise the enemy wouldn't be telling you otherwise 😉
Thanks, coach for fighting the good fight...and keep it coming... because you're brothers need it!!
The importance of a true friend cannot be understated! The ultimate reward of our relationship with Jesus proves all is well. THANKS for keeping us focused Coach