It’s always disappointing to have an injury. When I knew that I had fractured my thumb and was going to miss a significant portion of this season, I was initially frustrated. It’s always frustrating to be on the sidelines but it’s also part of the game. More than that, it’s part of God’s plan.

Now I get a chance to take a deep breath. Now I get a chance to spend time with my family, recover, and hopefully return to the field for the end of the season.

If this same injury happened in my first season of playing professional ball, I would have been devastated. And while it’s still not easy to go through, at this stage of my life I know it’s not the end of the world. As I’ve gotten older and more mature in my faith in God, I have been less inclined to play the “woe-is-me” card. Instead I try to come to grips with where I am so that I can make the most of the situation I’m in.

This is just a season and it will pass. But it’s important to me that I remain fixed on the bigger picture that God has for me.

It is hard to sit back and watch from home as my team is on the field. Since I’m not in the day-to-day grind with my teammates it can almost feel as if I’m not a part of the team. But I’ve been so encouraged by the support that my teammates have given me.

Almost everyone in this game knows what it’s like to be injured and miss out for a time. So when  we see a teammate going through a time of frustration, we are able to show compassion toward each other.

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” —1 Peter 3:8

God has been teaching me how to lean further into Him. Not only as I recover from an injury, but for the first time in 7 or 8 years I’m not sure what the next year holds. There are many unknowns  for me at this time. This has renewed for me the knowledge that I’m not in control. This knowledge reinforces my perspective of God, knowing that He is in control, He knows my next step, and I need to trust in Him. When I am able to trust in Him for my next step, I can enjoy where He was brought in this moment.

I like to have a plan so that I can know what to lean on. But this season is a good reminder that the only thing that I really can lean on is God.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” —Proverbs 3:5-6

—Matt Holliday

Matt Holliday is a regular contributor of The Increase, providing monthly articles and opinions.

Check out Matt’s Increase profile here: http://theincrease.com/author/mattholliday/

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