“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” — Daniel 3: 17-18
Even If
Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, is credited with saying, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” While he wasn’t the first one to speak those words, the quote has become part of his legacy.
But what happens when a team doesn’t win? Competitive environments like sports require a loser by definition. No athlete or coach goes undefeated their entire career. Defeat is a part of sports that anyone involved in them has to deal with.
In life, everyone experiences highs and lows; no one is immune from difficult circumstances. When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were about to be thrown into the furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar, they had faith God would rescue them. However, the next part of what they said is arguably more important. Even if God did not save them, they made it clear they would continue to worship Him and Him alone. Regardless of the outcome, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had their hearts set on honoring and following God.
There are times in life when we want God to intercede in a specific way. Maybe it’s a new job, the rekindling of a friendship, the healing of a loved one, or a whole host of other things. What happens when God answers our prayer differently than we hoped? Faith means trusting in and worshiping God even if our challenging circumstances don’t go away.
Whenever I think about this, lyrics from MercyMe’s song “Even If” pop into my head:
“I know the sorrow, and I know the hurt
Would all go away if You’d just say the word
But even if You don’t
My hope is You alone.”
— Joshua Doering
If you would like to submit a reader devotional, please email all submissions to jason@sportsspectrum.com.
Philadelphia 76ers player Tony Wroten (8) celebrates with teammate Michael Carter-Williams, Jan. 9, 2015. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” — Philippians 2:12c-13, NLT
The term “trust the process” has been used over the last decade to encourage people that a positive outcome is achievable by patiently following certain steps. It has been used politically to bring about change. Companies and organizations use it to build a better financial future, and professional sports teams have adapted it to encourage their fan base that better days are ahead.
The Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA coined the phrase in 2013. A strategy was introduced that, over time, the fans would be enjoying the benefits of having “trusted the process.” Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out as planned. However, the last five years, except for the 2024-25 season, have seen much improvement, and there are high hopes this year with the addition of longtime veteran LeBron James.
We live in a world that is outcome oriented. Goals are set and we are measured by the success or failure of achieving the sought-after outcome. But the increasing advancement of AI (artificial intelligence) technology is beginning to throw away “the baby with the bath water.” The strategy is now achieving the fastest and most efficient ways to meet the end goals. There is nothing wrong with that, except most of the time it takes away the human element of wisdom and discernment given to us by God.
As Christians, we can make effective use of AI in advancing the Gospel, but it is vital to also use the gifts God has given us. AI is outcome-driven and uses data compiled from statistics, frequency, and patterns, and then with speed comes to its conclusion. No human element involved.
Christianity is not about outcomes in this life, but the outcome of eternal life. Christianity in this life is a process. No, it is not works-driven, but it is working hard, obeying God, and allowing Him to give us the desire to do what pleases Him. Yes, it is a process. So, let us “trust the process.”
“’I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.’ When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.’” — Genesis 28:15-16
In Genesis 28, Jacob was on a journey. When the sun set, he stopped in what seemed like an ordinary place, took a stone, laid his head on it, and went to sleep. But while Jacob was resting in a normal place, God showed up in a supernatural way.
Jacob dreamed of a stairway reaching from earth to Heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. Then the Lord stood beside him and spoke a promise over his life: “‘I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. … I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.’ When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it’” (vv. 15-16).
God often meets us in unexpected places. A room can become an altar. A gym can become a sanctuary. A difficult season can become holy ground when God chooses to meet us there.
When I was coaching, before every season I would put fresh oil in our locker room, on the court, in my office, and throughout our facility. Then I would pray and submit those spaces back to God. I would turn the worship music up high and invite the Holy Spirit into the season. I was not depending on preparation alone. I needed God in every minute of it.
Jacob marked the place where God met him. We must do the same. Mark the moment. Remember the promise. Surely the Lord is in this place.
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young points Heavenward, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
If the Carolina Panthers are to repeat as NFC South champions in 2026-27, leaving Philadelphia on Sunday with a victory over the Eagles — who were playing without starting QB Jalen Hurts and starting RB Saquon Barkley — was essential. And that’s just what Carolina did after its workmanlike 25-14 win, which improved the Panthers to 3-2 on the season and gave them a two-game lead in the loss column in the divisional race.
Carolina was led once again by quarterback Bryce Young, who continued his spectacular start to the season with 281 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and no turnovers. In the process, he set a franchise record for touchdown passes through five games with 11, and he leads the entire NFL in passing yards per game (309.8).
“First and foremost, all glory to God,” Young told CBS in an on-field interview moments after the final whistle. “I’m nothing without my Lord and Savior.”
His postgame comments were not the first time Young had publicly acknowledged his Father in Heaven on the field on Sunday; he also bowed his head in prayer when he saw an Eagles defender on the ground injured in the second quarter.
“First and foremost, I’d like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he said. “Without Him I couldn’t be here. And through Him all things are possible.”
Then immediately after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft by Carolina, Young told ESPN, “I’m blessed. I want to thank God for allowing me to be here.”
Now 25 and an early-season contender for 2026 NFL MVP, Young is on a career trajectory that has almost completely turned around. He struggled as a rookie as his team went 2-15 in 2023-24. The next season didn’t start any better, as Young threw three interceptions without a touchdown and the Panthers started 0-2. Young was benched before the third game, with no timetable for his return. He did eventually return to the starting lineup later that season.
He was asked about his 2024 benching on “The Pivot Podcast” this past February, and he described that time as a “blessing.”
“That was one of the first times in a professional sense that I had no choice,” Young said on the podcast. “I think that wasn’t an accident. I think God put me there to know that faith is real, for me to strengthen my faith. Really, for me to be able to experience God in a different way.”
Young knows the adversity he faced early in his NFL career was simply one step in a lifelong journey of God drawing the quarterback into a deeper relationship with Himself.
“I’m based in faith,” Young said on the Sports Spectrum Podcast while at Alabama in 2022. “I’m blessed to have the family that I do that introduced me [to Christ] when I was young. Throughout my life, my relationship has grown with the Lord and my faith has improved.
“Through that, I work to be the best version of myself that I can be, and to embody Christ in all that I do.”
On the field, Young will seek to continue his hot start next week against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5). Kickoff is set for Charlotte on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
