I don’t know about you, but I’m a sports fan. From basketball to football to boxing—you name it, and I’ll probably watch it. OK, maybe not every sport. But over the weekend, I caught the Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills game. If you saw it, you know it was one of those nail-biters that had you on the edge of your seat.
The Ravens were on the verge of tying it up. Their quarterback threw what should have been a perfect pass to one of their most reliable receivers. But then—it happened. He dropped the ball. Just like that, they lost by two points.
The end result? Instant blame. People pointed fingers at the receiver, as if the entire loss was his fault. I’m sure he felt it—criticism from fans, from the media, maybe even from those closest to him. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he blamed himself too.
But here’s the truth: the game wasn’t decided by one play. Football is a team sport. When I played basketball, it was always about the team—winning or losing as a unit. No single player should carry all the credit or all the blame.
In life, we can sometimes feel like it’s all on us. We mess up, or something goes wrong, and we feel like we’re the reason everything’s falling apart. But let me tell you—you’re not alone in this.
Let me share a story I once heard, a story that made me stop and think. It’s one of those timeless lessons that I still carry with me today.
A man, overwhelmed by life’s struggles, called out to the Lord, “Lord, this cross is too much for me to carry.” The Lord, full of compassion, replied, “My child, if it’s too much, leave your cross in that room. Walk through the next door and pick the one you think will be lighter.”
The man, feeling a little relieved, did what he was told. As he entered the room, he saw crosses of all sizes—some so large they seemed to touch the sky. He searched, carefully navigating through the towering crosses, until he found a smaller one leaning against the wall. “I’ll take this one,” he said.
The Lord smiled gently and said, “That’s the cross you brought in.”
That story has stuck with me. So often, we look at other people’s struggles and think theirs must be easier than ours. But the truth is, we can never truly know what someone else is dealing with.
Instead of placing blame on ourselves or others, we need to remember we don’t have to face it alone. God didn’t create us to handle life’s challenges by ourselves.
Matthew 11:28-30 reminds us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus doesn’t want us to carry our struggles alone. He wants us to give them to Him.
And in Psalm 55:22, we’re told: “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.” God promises to hold us up, even when we feel like we can’t stand anymore.
To the Baltimore Ravens receiver who dropped the ball: don’t let this one mistake define you. You were an important part of your team’s success. And to anyone else who feels like they’ve failed, remember this: You are so much more than your mistakes. Stand tall.
When life feels overwhelming, don’t try to navigate it alone. Surrender your struggles to God. Ask for His help. And stop blaming yourself or others for every mistake. Life isn’t about one moment; it’s about the bigger picture, the journey you’re on with God.
Take a moment to reflect on what you’re wrestling with. Is it guilt? Fear? Being perfect? Write it down, and then, in prayer, give it all to God. Let Him replace your struggles with His peace.
Say This Prayer
Lord,
Thank You for being my refuge when life gets difficult. I come to You today, burdened with worries. I lay them at Your feet, trusting You to sustain me. Help me remember that my mistakes don’t define me. Your love and grace are what shape me. Please give me the strength to move forward with courage and faith.
Thank You for always walking with me, even when the path feels too hard. I trust You to guide me, protect me, and renew my spirit.
