Core Scripture: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2)

Message: I knew there was a problem.  I mean, how could the Chiefs, defending AFC Champions, start off the season 0-2.  Losing to the Chargers?  And at home to the Eagles?  Something wasn’t right. 

The Chiefs got their act back together, beating the lowly Giants and then the at-that-time imploding Ravens, but they found themselves in a dogfight the following week at Jacksonville.  The Jaguars were closing in on a touchdown, but the Chiefs held a slim lead.  A mere 30 seconds lingered on the clock.  It was put up or shut up time.

Trevor Lawrence took the snap.  The right guard, trying to get in position to surge forward, stepped on Lawrence’s foot, sending him toppling to the turf.  Lawrence tried to get up but fell a second time.  My jaw dropped.  I screamed!  Chris Jones … Nick Bolton … SOMEBODY had to make a play! 

But the wily Jaguar quarterback sprung up.  His linemen never gave up on the play, nor did Lawrence.  He scrambled desperately but with purpose, breaking a tackle and lunging into the endzone.  A few Chiefs defenders gave up on the play, assuming Lawrence was down, but the damage was done.  Final score … Jaguars 31, Chiefs 28.

(It hurts to put this here, but I will.  Warning … If you are a diehard Chiefs fan like me, watching this video may result in nausea or sudden loss of breath.)

That one play stuck with me.  Sure, the Chiefs rebounded and got to 5-3, but they soon afterwards slid into a devastating debacle that left fans wondering what could have been.  Me?  I go back to the Jaguars game.  I watch that devastating play over and over, wondering what might have transpired if they didn’t give up. 

Don’t get me wrong.  I LOVE Chris Jones!  He has manhandled offensive linemen for years, and he was a huge reason the Chiefs won three Super Bowls over the past five years.  But if you watch the play, number 95 just stands there.  He doesn’t pursue Lawrence at all.  He gives up, and he apologized to fans later, saying he learned a valuable lesson …

Always play until the whistle blows. 

My heart aches for the Chiefs.  After one of their tough losses late in the season, a colleague smiled at me, noting I was still wearing my Chiefs “Seek the Kingdom” shirt to work.  I laughed and told him I was still loyal to my team.  I have loved the Chiefs ever since I was a kid, and nothing will ever change that.  Nothing!

I wore the shirt to make a point.  You don’t give up on your team just because they have a bad game—or in this case now, a bad season!  You stick it out.  You value the faithful pledge you made to your team from the beginning, and you move on, looking to the future.  And hey, that last second loss to the Raiders means they get a higher draft pick, right?

Enough about the Chiefs.  Let’s connect the dots because we are not just talking about football here.  We are talking about faith.  Trust.  Hope.  We are talking about being on God’s team, and sometimes you are going to have a bad season or two.  He never promised life would be easy when you are a Christian. 

Take note of what Jesus says in John 16:33. He knows His time is almost up, and He is trying to prepare the disciples, saying, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  Hear His voice!  It still echoes in our hearts today!

We get our peace through Jesus.  There are times when God will lead us through the fire, but Jesus never leaves us.  He overcame the world!  And as we navigate life with the Holy Spirit leading us through the minefields Satan has planted before us, we don’t give up.  We may not know the way, but guess what?  He does! 

I have seen this all too many times in my life.  Through losing loved ones to cancer to almost losing my brother in Iraq to losing my faith in everything after a two-year depression to lost jobs … Jesus Christ has led me through the entire way.  Many times, I have no clue what He is doing, but I don’t give up.  I still trust in Him and put my hope in Him.  Every trial makes me stronger.

Let’s bring some scripture in to put this all into perspective …

1. Romans 8:28 tells me that God works everything for our good.  Need an example?  My darkest depression of my life led me to renew my faith and find a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  God took my bleakest moment where Satan had dug his talons into me and somehow remade me into a born again Christian.
2. James 1:2-4 tells me that I should rejoice when trials come my way.  Not sure I do that well—hey, does anybody?—but look at it this way.  A hard workout will prepare an athlete to emerge victorious, just like a difficult season will prepare you for future trials, giving you perseverance and endurance.
3. Isaish 55:8-9 tells me that sometimes God’s thoughts are a little better than my own thoughts.  Okay, a LOT better!  Kinda like when you were a kid and devoured an entire plate of Oreo cookies.  Your dad might have warned you you’d get sick, and sure enough, your stomach rebelled later.  God, our Father, always knows best!
4. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells me that I should trust the Lord will ALL my heart.  Not just some of it.  Not just when times are good.  I am sure Patrick Mahomes loved winning his Super Bowls, but now with a torn ACL and a sickening 6-11 season, he is encountering a bit of a valley!  Trusting God is essential.
5. Psalm 23 tells me that the Lord is my shepherd, guiding me and protecting me.  It flat out tells me I will be in the valley at times, but I will NOT be afraid!  Why?  Because Jesus is right there beside me.  He is my protector.  My comfort.  And He never gives up on me.

Why should I ever give up on Him?  Why should I ever question what the Lord is doing?  I don’t beat myself up though.  Not too much, at least.  I am so far from perfect.  There are times when I am like David in the Psalms, questioning what God is doing and asking why He has forsaken me.  I can relate to Job, throwing my hands up and getting angry with God, telling Him I did nothing wrong to deserve pain, heartache, and anguish.

God’s response?  I can see Him smiling down at me, reassuring me with the scripture above.  He loves me.  Unconditionally, He loves me!  It doesn’t matter how many times I screw up because what Jesus did for me on the cross covers ALL my sins.  Not just some of them.  There is no sin the Lord won’t forgive. 

I can hear Him telling me not to give up and be a fair-weather fan.  I am sure some Chiefs fans are sounding off right now, complaining about the refs or the ball bouncing one way or another.  It is during times like these that God wants us to be loyal to Him.  He wants us to trust Him and even praise Him. 

Even in the storms. 

Challenge: Are you going through a storm?  Do you know someone going through a storm?  Meditate on the powerful truths above.  Pray and know that God’s answers, although sometimes different from our own, are always right.

Bible study: Read Daniel 3:8-25 and journal about or discuss the following questions …

1. What did Nebuchadnezzar ask Shadrach, Meshak, and Abednego to do?
2. How did they respond?
3. Nebuchadnezzar promoted false gods.  Which idols have you worshiped lately?
4. What was the result of being thrown into the fiery furnace?
5. How can we apply this story to our lives today?

Song application: “Praise You In This Storm” by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
And once again
I say, “A-men” and it’s still rainin’

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I’ll raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Motivational quote: “There is no failure except in no longer trying.” (Elbert Hubbard)

Just for fun: Satan, I know you want me to turn my back on the Chiefs and complain about their misfortunes this year.  Instead, I choose to use Philippians 4:8 and look at the positive …

1. Mahomes will be back, and he will be that much hungrier to vault the Chiefs back on top.
2. We now have the 9^th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.  Oh, the possibilities!
3. The Chiefs are coming to Kansas in 2031, and they are getting a dome, which means no more below zero temperatures in January.
4. Andy Reid will be back.  He can’t go out this way!  And I cannot wait to hear him bellow, “How bout those CHIEFS!!!” in the locker room a few more times before retirement.
5. Kelce may or may not be retiring—that announcement should come soon—but it doesn’t matter.  He’s still got Taylor Swift, and she will help him shake it off.  (Did you see what I did there?)

Prayer: God, the storms of life are never fun to endure.  Help us keep our faith in You, knowing and trusting Jesus will guide us through.  Amen.