Becoming A Godly Benchwarmer

It’s not uncommon for many of us to take a look at our lives and be a bit disappointed with where we are in our current situation or position. Sometimes, the breaks are bad and there was nothing we could do to prevent it while other times, the circumstances are of our own doing but regardless of the situation, there is something that we can learn from such a situation or circumstance and the most important lesson is to be a Godly benchwarmer.

Benchwarmer? Isn’t this a baseball terminology for someone who rides the bench most of the season and keeps the bench warm? While this is a correct usage to describe many players with small roles on a baseball team, it has a much bigger meaning among Christian circles. Perhaps many have never thought of our times of trouble or adversity as necessary in our Christian walk and rightfully so as nobody likes to live with adversity and while it may be unpleasant to go through, we grow in such situations.

A lesson that I have learned in my Christian walk is that we must learn to be Godly benchwarmers. As mentioned in the beginning, we will not always be happy with a situation or circumstance and while this is common for everyone, God wants us to possess a certain joy in all situations. James 1:2-3 reads “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” The New International Version reads “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

When we feel passionate about something, becoming frustrated is common and God knows this but as Christians, we need to learn to be faithful in all situations even when we are “riding the bench.” Proverbs 10:17 reads “He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.” When we do not understand a situation or like a situation, we need to talk about it with God or, simply be honest with Him, Just like we do when someone offends or does something wrong against us, we need to confront the situation and with God, it is no different. When we do this, we must then listen to God as He will help us through all things including difficult situations and circumstances.

What we must not do is grow angry to the point where we are talking bad about someone or others. This, too, is commonplace when we are frustrated with something especially about our situation or circumstances and while anger is not a sin, it’s what you do with that anger and when you lash out at someone or others; you are falling into the enemy’s trap. Ephesians 4:26 reads “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:“ In other words, do not go to bed angry as there is a good chance that you will wake up the same way, or worse. This is a good reminder in a serious relationship and/or marriage.

This is something that breaks up many couples or in the sporting world, causes ruckus or chaos within the locker room and the names on such a list would be longer than this article which is why we must be careful not to gossip or lash out despite such a reaction being natural for many. One of the best ways to avoid this is to take a step back and take a deep breath which allows you to collect your thoughts. Typically, removing yourself from a situation does not solve the problem as the problem will need to be confronted eventually but if the anger or frustration is still present after taking the step back, continue to talk to God as He is the best source of authority during any and every situation.

Last but not least, we must remember that we are not entitled to anything despite the current political ideology that claims some people are. There has been nothing that I have that I have received because of entitlement or privileges but rather, through effort and hard work. Of course, it all starts with prayer and a personal relationship with Christ who gives us all things. He puts us in different places at different times for different reasons and while we may not be happy with the situation or circumstance(s), we must learn to be a Godly benchwarmer which not only satisfies Christ but also, helps us grow into what God wants us to be. Isaiah 64:8 reads “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” In other words, God is the potter and we are clay and He is molding us.