Scoreboard!

A good friend of mine's son (let's call him Andy) is an excellent soccer player.  He's gifted, he's talented and he works really, really hard at it.  He began playing on local leagues as soon as he could run and boy howdy can this young man run!  Andy's on the high school team now - a key player leading their team to play stronger and more consistently than in several years.  You get the picture.  This guy is good.

 

At a recent game, the opponent (on Team B, for bad guys) directly facing Andy had a brilliant strategy to discourage him. Though Team B was losing and losing badly (9- 1), the player was hurling taunts endlessly at Andy.  "You're not playing very well."  "You're an embarrassment to your team."  "Your coach is mad at you." "Your coach is going to take you out."  On and on it went.  Andy's response?  He would say, "Scoreboard."  That was his only reply to his opponent.  Scoreboard.  Look at the scoreboard.  We are winning.  Your words don't change that reality and they won't change that reality.  I've got nothing to say to you.

 

Andy had to stay strong in the game.  He later confessed that staying in the truth was a battle. Rejecting the opponent's accusation and focusing on what was before him required both determination and stamina.

 

Sound familiar?

 

Our opponent is tireless at hurling accusations at us; at taunting us.  "You're not doing this very well." "You're an embarrassment to the Body of Christ." "God is mad at you."  "You're disqualified."  On and on it can go.  Our response is not to take in the accusation or even engage in the dialogue but just to say, "Look at the Cross".  Jesus has won it all.  For me.  I am in Him.  I am loved.  I am secure.  I am forgiven.  Always.  (THANK YOU,GOD!)

 

Or else, maybe the next time the enemy's accusation comes our way, we can just say, "Scoreboard!".

Comments

[Helene Bergren]

Love this post, which is so timely in my situation. Someone I interact with sometimes makes comments these days that are either inappropriate or that invite me to and assume I judge people (not just actions) based on my Bible-driven standards. This person also shares disagreements between that person and me, in front of a group of other people. It all seems like bait.

I had decided the other day, that ignoring it isn't working. But I didn't know exactly what to say in-the-moment. I kept thinking I needed some educated admonition on the tip of my tongue. Today I realized, a simple "Please don't do this kind of thing anymore," or "I don't care to discuss this," is all that's needed. I could even ask, "Why would you say that?" Or, I could excuse myself from the room.

It doesn't need to be some complex statement or explanation about why this person should not continue to put me in this position, and draw conclusions about my opinions.

Same with "Scoreboard." It's even better! Smart young man. Great confirmation for me. Thanks for sharing. God bless.

[Lola]

Scoreboard!

[Sallie]

Hooray for knowing the rest of the story -- the truth of the story. Thank you for the reminder that we don't even need to engage, let alone qualify or defend. May we find the courage to live that way until it becomes a habit of heart! And may we all have friends who remind us!
Thanks, Stasi!

[betsey]

Thanks! Just what I needed to hear; it's actually cheered me up immensely. Now I can get back to my chores. Something :) was keeping me on facebook until I came across this...our God is so great!

[Stacy A]

Oh, gosh, did I need this! I'm a world-class self-flogger, and have struggled with the concept of daily grace (as opposed to God being mad at me) all my life. This is an awesome tool to use in my battle against this!

"SCOREBOARD!!"

Thank you, Stasi!!

[Rosemary Cordonnier]

I just read your last 4 posts, Stasi, and I cried after each one. I am a 30 year old and I just had my first baby boy this past Easter Sunday (he is almost 7 months old). I am staying at home with him and my days are full of laughter and tears. Our son Jack has brought more joy to our lives than I ever could have imagined. I loved reading about your sons going off to college and I held Jack a little tighter while I cried. He is so full of wonder at the little things in life right now; he was staring at his hand today as though realizing for the first time that it belonged to him and that he was in control of it.

I also loved the post about God showing his tenderness and love to all of the women at the retreat. Each of your stories is another sweet reminder of how grateful I am for God's love, to be alive, and how much I am longing for heaven.

God bless! You have touched my day!

[Nick Holbrow]

As a football fan ( i am in the uk so its football) all i can say is VERY COOL that young man encourages all, thanks for telling us.

[Michelle]

Good post, Stasi, especially as this is my biggest area of struggle. I had a pretty big mess-up 3 years ago. No one ever found out (that I know of), but my walk with God went spiraling down. When I think of where I am now, opposed to where I was 4 or 5 years ago, my heart breaks all over again. That knowledge of where I used to be with God and the realization of where I am now in comparison haunts me daily. Without knowing the story, my brother-in-law told me a few months ago that I have a spirit of accusation on me. I know how God "supposedly" sees me, but I'm feeling more like a kid whose parent has forgotten to pick them up from school. I feel like I've been out here waiting forever.

I was so excited to see that you guys are coming to Breakforth, and I would love to go and see you again, but I'm not expecting finances to permit. But thank you for your words and for all you do.

[Stasi]

Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...!  Not just some, or a little bit, or a bunch,...NONE.  I pray for grace and strength for you to stand in the TRUTH.  You are loved.  You are FORGIVEN.  You are secure in Christ.  We all make mistakes...all of us..big, little, huge, tiny...and there is grace enough for all of us.  I join you in saying NO to the accuser of the brethren and to saying YES to receiving the love of your Jesus.  God bless you, today.

[MaryBeth]

I got goosebumps reading this! To recognize our power and USE it...that is so radical! Thank you, Stasi for the wonderful analogy and reminder of our everyday, every moment battle.
I heard you speak at the NLC women's lunch today. Thank you for sharing such amazing stories and wisdom with us! What a treasure.
http://marybethkoenes.blogspot.com/

[Stasi]

:-)

[Carrie]

Okay, that is one awesome analogy! I am going to practice saying, "look at the cross" and/or "scoreboard" whenever I feel inadequate, to remind myself the "feeling" is the accuser and to refuse to engage in his conversation. Thank you! YOU ROCK! :)

[Leticia]

As a recovering alcoholic, I am taught to cease fighting everything and everyone including alcohol. This is becuase all we have is a daily reprieve that includes looking at the scoreboard: one hour, two hours, one day, one month, one year!! Scoreboard! Scoreboard! Scoreboard! SCOREBOARD!! This is so my new word...

[Rita]

I am 60 and can not remember a time satan has not been yelling at me "YOU are stupid, unloved, ugly and no one wants to be arround you." He is screaming in my face now because my husband had an emotional affair during the most important months of our marriage... "You are not even worth your husbands love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I admired her testimony and wished I could be as dedicated to God as she apeared to be.
I am praying, seaking help, listening to Captivating, had a SOZO, praying for that wonderful moment when I am free of this nightmare!! Thank you for you Scoreboard post. I will speak the word "SCOREBOARD" outloud when I am fighting back, when I just feel like giving up. God Bless your ministry Stasi.

[Michelle Buhl]

Amen.

[Wayne Shaw]

Hey Stasi! Me again :) Couldn't help but notice, only one other man in the responses, and with a TERRIFIC (and true!) sports story to boot. Anyway.....
It did take me a while, but after a couple weeks' mulling this over, I had my epiphany. I believe there are at least a couple, entire spiritual analogy/true sports story books in me, and for various reasons having to do with wounds God is still working closely with me on, none of my books have ever gotten out---and I have tried!
So here's my re-worked analogy for this, your story that you shared with us: even if (worst case scenario) those books NEVER get out, and I'm like the 25th man on a 25-man team, unlike your young superstar friend, I can STILL go right up to the enemy who tries to taunt me with...whatever...and say...(you guessed it) SCOREBOARD!!!!
Thank you once again, my sister.

[Stasi]

:-)

[Melanie]

Oh my goodness. I SO needed to read this today! Great post, thank you.

Blessings!
Melanie
http://melscoffeebreak.blogspot.com

[Anita Ray Henderson]

Thanks for this post Scoreboard...sending it to my yet to accept Jesus 14 y/o grandson back in the USA. He has been playing football for the last 3 years and loves it. His coach is a decent man and won't allow that type of banter from the boys...so this I pray will be something that Alex can respond with!!!

[Kevin O'Neill]

What a great post! The simple truth is all that is needed to crush the enemy. The truth of the victory won for you and for me on the cross! RESIST the devil and he must flee!!

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