Calm is Contagious

The title of this post is a quote I've been thinking about for a week. As my regular readers and local friends know, I'm a fan of basketball so I've been enjoying March Madness. Last week after a very intense and exciting game that put Virginia in this year's Final Four their coach said these words. To most fans it seemed winning was impossible and most fellow coaches knew it wasn't very likely, but they found a way and down the stretch the coach made a difference. You could say it was for various reasons, but his words say a lot.

I've played in a quite a few games and over the years have coached in many more...basketball is intense, nerves are involved and fear can set in. When a competitor (athlete or coach), feels like hope is gone they can let up, when fear overtakes they might be overwhelmed and when emotion takes over their role is affected. Tony Bennett is a coach, from what I can tell, who doesn't let this happen. He is calm on the sidelines and it makes a difference. It mattered again last night, when Virginia was again in a tight game...his guys held on to win and advance. Calm clearly was contagious.

So, that's great right? It played a part in their win and might help me as I coach the game I enjoy, but what does this mean for you? Well friend, I've thought about that and I believe it means a lot. Life really is a lot like basketball. Whether you are a wife or mom, co-worker or ministry partner life is intense. There are moments of frustration and fear. There are days when hope seems gone and anxiety is high. We struggle to press on and may be tempted to wrongly impact others.

So whether you face an emergency situation, the daily demands of life or the frustration of things not going your way, would you like to remain calm? Or to say it differently, experience peace? I know my answer is yes! This not only helps me walk through life, but like Tony's demeanor and attitude impacts his team, I know my reaction affects the players in my life as well.

We can try to be calm, hope to be more patience and try to prepare for peace, but this doesn't happen on its own. Especially in the moments of chaos, fear and struggle. This my friend is a gift...one only God can give.

Before Jesus departed He told His disciples, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever..." He is referring to the Holy Spirit, who not only lives in us, but bears gifts. Galatians 5:22-23 states, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control."

I believe all of these fruits are part of the calmness Tony Bennett displays. I want them to be part of my life as well. Do you?

It starts with accepting Christ and allowing Him to fill me with the Holy Spirit, but friend, it doesn't end there. We must surrender and let this Spirit live in us. We have to die to flesh and walk in the Spirit. This doesn't necessarily come natural.

When a game is tight and the time is ticking, nerves can take over, old habits and ways of thinking return. Stress is felt and the flesh wants to react. The same can happen when our toddler has a tantrum, the phone rings with bad news or a relationship falls apart. When this happens we need to make a choice.

Colossians 3:15 says, "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." In the original language the word for rule takes on an umpire or referee type meaning. Like our pastor likes to say, we need to let the Holy Spirit blow His whistle and then rightly react to the call. When you feel like calmness is fading and fear is growing, redirect your thinking, remind yourself of Truth and allow peace to replace the worry.

This is easier said than done, but it is possible. Peace is a fruit that will grow, but we must water and weed the garden of our heart and mind!

Along with this, we must choose to practice the words Paul shares in Philippians 4:6 - "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God." 

When the Holy Spirit has your attention and you realize your thoughts are going out of bounds take a moment and pray. We don't have to be in a church building to talk to the Lord nor do we always need to bow our heads to pray. In the final seconds of his team's game, I don't know if Tony Bennett was praying, but I know I've cried out (in a whispering, personal sort of way) to the Lord from the bench.

These prayers haven't always led to victory, but they bring perspective and that's more valuable than a win any day!!

I don't know if Virginia will find themselves in another tight game tomorrow as they strive for the championship, but I know their coach's approach will make a difference, win or lose. You and I won't find ourselves competing in front of millions, but we're living in front of others and our approach will have a ripple effect as well. Do you want your attitude and mindset to be caught by others? Remember "Calm is Contagious!"