Baseball - Dog Days

John 16:33 (ESV)

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

As the baseball season begins – and as your season of faith begins – you can be sure that the dog days are not far off. In baseball, the dog days are when the grind starts to bring you down physically, but even more so mentally.

They usually hit around August, in the middle of the 162 games that are being played in roughly 180 days. That’s a lot of action. No wonder that during this long, ongoing, day-to-day battle a time comes when the mind starts to wander. The team may be going through some struggles or you personally may be having a tough time and that just piles on to the natural weight that the season already brings.

The hope for many players during the dog days is the start of the football season. It reminds them that the end of their own season is near and gives them something other than their performance to occupy their mind.

In life after opening day, while we are living out our purpose, the grind of routine life (the dog days) tries to bring us down. But in John 16:33 we are told of a hope that will sustain us. It is a hope greater than anything in this world!

Jesus says, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We will face trouble. Every day is not perfect. Sometimes due to our own faults or outside forces, trouble comes. But Jesus tells us to have no fear because he has overcome the world. What is amazing is that when he says this, he hasn’t even gone to the cross yet. Yet his words weren’t I WILL overcome the world. He declared, with confidence, I HAVE overcome the world!

Don’t be dismayed when things are not going as well as you had hoped they would. Although the season is long and the dog days are real, we should be encouraged to know that there is still time to make adjustments. We can get back into the fight to make a playoff run.

Be empowered today and everyday hereafter not just because we have a Savior who did some neat things, but because we have a Savior who has overcome the world. He sustains us as we battle through our seasons.

Dear Lord, when the dog days come help us to be empowered by you. Help us to not fade away but to stay strong. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.