by Jeff Forney
I’ll never forget the advice given to me by my Junior College coach. At the time I had just made two consecutive errors in the outfield and another one later on in the game. It was my first game as an outfielder and I soon found out it was different than playing shortstop. When the game was over I felt like crawling into a hole and not coming out. That night after the game I even pondered quitting the game because I was so frustrated.
The next day my coach came out to me in the outfield where I was still proceeding to butcher up a few fly balls and simply said to me, “Jeff, if you play this game long enough you will stink it up.” That was the most confusing statement I had ever heard, but later it became the most encouraging and comforting phrase I had heard.
It’s Part Of The Game
My coach, through a classical baseball quote, gave me a baseball . . . and a life lesson: if you are in the game there will be times when it will be frustrating . . . guaranteed. The slumps, the miscues, and the loss of confidence are just as much a part of the game as the wins and the individual success we have. It is through the frustrations of the game we usually learn and develop the most. What approach do we take when these times arrive? Our coaches can be a big help with coaching points, we can put in extra work on our skills, and the team can rally around one another. These are great ways to help restore us and get back on track in the game.
The One To Call On
What happens when life gets frustrating outside the game? Who can we draw on for direction and encouragement . . . to get us through the tough times? A great passage that helps me to remember where I can go for help is found in Psalms 121:1-2 "I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
This passage assures us that we can look up to the Lord for help and guidance even when we are frustrated and can’t seem to get it together. He is there to give us encouragement and direction. I have found in my most frustrating times to simply look up and know that God is my help and encouragement to see me through. In the game of baseball, and in life, there will be good and bad times, but God is good all the time.
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