Revelation on the Falcons’ loss…from a Cowboys’ fan
on January 23, 2013 at 07:32While running yesterday I had this thought:
I love the NFL and, like many people, enjoyed watching the conference championship games on Sunday. In the NFC Championship the Atlanta Falcons were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers and denied a Super Bowl bid. Now, as an unashamed Dallas Cowboys fan, I get satisfaction knowing that my poor Falcons friends are suffering too!
I realize the Cowboys checked their season at the door weeks ago, However, I like to talk smack. I believe in a simple rule when it comes to smack, that if you can’t change the subject then you are letting it get personal. My friends understand and they talk good smack too, reminding me often where my team stands and how often they fail, so fine by me if their favorite team loses too.
The game was intense and as I was cheering hard against the Falcons my kids asked me, “Daddy, why don’t you want the Falcons to win?”
What could I say to that? I’m bitter! I’m jealous! Daddy wants to take his ball and go home! That’s pretty much how I felt and so that’s what I said to them.
Where exactly did that bitterness come from? Of course, relating strictly to football I have some reasons, no big deal – but is it possible the same negative thought process can invade other areas outside of sports? What if a friend gets a great job offer that makes me a little jealous? What if someone gets praise for something and I don’t? What if something good happens to someone else but not me? Not too far fetched really.
In 2nd Corinthians 7:6 we learn “God encourages those who are discouraged”, in the book of Job he is praised for “encouraging many people and strengthening those who are weak” (Job 4:3), and the Proverbs remind us “the words of the Godly encourage many” (Proverbs 10:21).
Cheering for our team may be unrelated to how we’ll treat our neighbor, but unchecked emotions and actions can bypass our thoughts and belittle our character. Open the door a little to justify negative thinking and next thing we know we’re looking in the mirror saying “who is that guy?!?”
Yeah it’s only sports, but this week football reminded me that my job is to encourage others always (regardless of what’s in it for me) and desire the best for them. In the NFL there can be only one champion and how hard you cheer means nothing. In the sport of life there can be many champions and how hard you cheer means everything.
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are
already doing”. –1st Thessalonians 5:11
Collin