AN “AT THE BUZZER” LIFE?
Do you live an at the buzzer life? Paycheck to paycheck? Barely getting by, if even that?
If you are an NBA fan, especially of the Warriors, and Seth Curry hits a 3-pointer at the buzzer to win the game, wow, that pretty exciting.
But in real life, it’s really not very exciting, is it? In fact, if you have to live that kind of life for long, you won’t.
Neuro-scientist Dr. Daniel Amen in his book CHANGE YOUR BRAIN CHANGE YOUR LIFE, and in their book HOW GOD CHANGES YOUR BRAIN, Neuro-scientist’s Mark Waldman and Andrew Newberg, M.D. ,provide us with scientific evidence that stress, worry, frustration and fear are greater contributors to early deaths than smoking, diet, and the many other of the lifestyle choices that make promises they are unable to fulfill.
What happens is that stress, worry, frustration and fear, what are termed afflictive emotions, affect how the brain works.
Upon experiencing these feelings or emotions, the brain either emits certain chemicals into the body or the brain instructs certain organs of our bodies to emit chemicals that affect our nervous system and consequently work to depress our immune systems, our moods and our ability to deal with the vagaries of life in positive and constructive ways.
Why is it we are willing to believe the work of two Neuro-scientists and not the words of Almighty God?
In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, Chapter 4, verses 6 through 9, he tells us:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We all know that the one thing that is behind every action, every choice we make, every behavior, is a thought.
Who and what I am today, tomorrow, and the rest of my life will hinge on three things: What I think, how I think, and what I believe.
And God, through the Apostle Paul addresses that in the verses that follow.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy “think, meditate on these things. and the God of peace will be with you.”
There is a truth I was given years ago by a coach I really didn’t like, but it stayed with me and has served me well.
What you do when it doesn’t seem to matter, determines what you are able to do when it is too late to do anything about it.
Some call that the spare tire theory. Whatever you choose to call it, Seth Currey understands it. It is reported that there is no one in the NBA who spends more time in the gym practicing 3’s from all different angles: flat footed, jump shot, a fade. than this player.
We don’t have to live an at the buzzer life. None of us do.
We too can practice getting to know the God of all Grace, the God of all peace, the God who loves you so much that He only wants the best for you, for you to live the life He created you to live. For Jesus said:
I came that you might have life, and that you might have it not just abundantly, but more abundantly (John 10:10)
OH! REALLY? Hmm
P.S. One more word about this. Will every shot drop? No. Will I win every game? No. But will it substantially improve my game to the point that I can stop living an at the buzzer life Oh, wow! Will it ever.