This season has been a really trying time for our team. Being 0-12 is really tough, but God has been teaching me to really stay focused on what He is doing within our team and throughout this city, and to not be discouraged by the results on the field.

God has been at work this season. Many guys in our locker room have been seeking the Lord and growing in their personal relationship with Him; two of them have chosen to rededicate their lives to the Lord! As I walk alongside these men, we are learning to pray harder, dig deeper into Scripture, and grow stronger in our faith in God. It truly is a blessing to see men who were really struggling in their faith now begin to understand what it really means to be a follower of Christ.

Within the community I have also been able to see God at work. I’ve been dialoguing with my barber who has a powerful testimony of coming out of jail, turning his life around, and following after Christ. Each week he is excited to share with me what God is doing in his life; I feel honored to be in a position to encourage him and push him closer to Christ. His confidence in God’s ability to use him in mighty ways is contagious!

“In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” —Ephesians 3:12

Seeds are being planted and watered in Cleveland, and I am so thankful to be a part of it all.

Within my own household God has also been at work. As my wife and I draw closer to Him, we are understanding more and more how God’s ultimate concern is for His people. He is less concerned about the successes individuals might have in their jobs or on the field, and more focused on the eternal success of their souls. After all, what good would it do if our team was undefeated but souls weren’t being saved? Focusing on what is important in God’s Kingdom has caused me to walk more closely with Christ, understanding that He has a plan which transcends our worldly circumstances.

However, losing games is not easy. Whenever I am feeling distraught or upset after a game I go to His Word because I know that Christ is still on the throne—He always has been and He always will be. Because of this truth, I know my eternity is set. That is what makes my joy secure. But although I have this confidence in Christ, it can be hard to focus on that after a rough game. That’s when I go to His Word so that my heart may be saturated with His love and truth, and by reading the Word of God I begin to see things through His eyes, refocusing my vision on Him. As I see His promises again, my joy is uplifted. The more I fix my mind on the things of God instead of the things of the world, the more peace I find.

Just because we aren’t winning does not mean we’re defeated. I try to always carry an attitude of joy and optimism—I carry myself as a victor, knowing that I can be a light to my team and this city. We all carry ourselves as victors, so much so that if you walked into our locker room you wouldn’t be able to tell what our record is because our spirits are not down, we will keep on fighting. And as long as I have breath in my body, I will keep on fighting for the Lord.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.” —Psalm 28:7

Winning is fun, but it’s not eternal—the joy of Christ is.

—Demario Davis

Demario Davis is a regular contributor to The Increase and will be providing monthly articles and opinions.

Check out Demario’s Increase profile here: http://theincrease.com/author/demario-davis/

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