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I’m fired up! My first Fantasy Football Draft of the season is coming up as I head into my 20th season of playing Fantasy Football.
Like all managers during Fantasy drafts, every time I’m on the clock to select a player, I implement strategies and philosophies based on Fantasy experience, lessons learned, knowledge from watching football, research from experts, and the stats in front of me.
But if you're like me, there are countless times when the clock is ticking down and we need to make our draft pick, so we end up “going with our gut.” Our feeling about a certain player and our instinct or intuition is telling us he’s the one to select.
Sometimes that means we go against conventional thinking, what the stats show, and our league-mates might even laugh at us for picking a player too early. However, we know deep down a particular player is poised for a great year and our “gut” tells us to go for it and put him on our team. I admit that going with my gut in Fantasy hasn’t always panned out and at times it can be a misleading approach to drafting, but I know tomorrow there will be situations that I won't be able to shake my “gut feeling” and I'll be led to make certain decisions about who to draft. When it comes to everyday life, we also have different approaches to our decision-making. Hopefully, we’re willing to factor in the stats and the facts in front of us, remain willing to hear advice from wise counsel, and also consider lessons we’ve learned from our past experiences. However, oftentimes we make decisions based on a “gut feeling.” I believe this can be both a dangerous and wonderful approach. The key is knowing the difference between where that “gut feeling” is coming from and why it’s there. If we're living life to please ourselves and choosing to do whatever feels right or we’re operating with a limited understanding based on what we think is best, then our “gut feeling” will mislead us. Proverbs 16:25 (ESV) warns, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Yet, if we're living Spirit-filled lives as followers of Jesus, we will make wise decisions that are rooted in our understanding of God’s Word and knowledge of His will. The Spirit of God lives inside of us and helps to lead and guide us down the right path. He gives us discernment, insight, and intuition that provides a much stronger and more reliable “gut feeling.” Philippians 2:13 (NLT) gives us this encouragement: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” Sometimes we take steps of faith and go against conventional thinking (people might even laugh at our decision), but if we know deep down that God has given us that desire along with peace, then we can confidently go with that Spirit-filled “gut feeling.” Today, let’s ask God for wisdom and discernment as we follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Let’s also remember what Proverbs 2:6-11 (NIV) tells us: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones. "Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.” I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to know the difference between my selfish desires and the desires You put in my heart. I pray I’d have discernment and wisdom to know how and where Your Spirit is leading me. Thank you for giving me knowledge and understanding of what is right. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR FFF LEAGUES:
When has your “gut feeling” led you astray and why do you think that was?
When have you experienced a Spirit-filled “gut feeling” that led you to make a very wise decision that impacted your life significantly?