I was recently talking with a colleague and our conversation, obviously because of the current basketball season, turned to the coverage of the NBA playoffs and finals. She commented that she would often watch the games with the sound of her TV muted. Why? Because all the commentary has become just too much.
I had to agree with her. Consider the days leading to the finals. Every day there were numerous articles and blogs of people giving their opinions, expectations, and predictions concerning the players, the teams, and how the games would unfold. The same may be said of sports programs on TV and radio. Then, on the day of the first game, in addition to the comments and analyses during the game, there was the pregame commentary, then, the half-time analysis, and, finally, the postgame commentary. But it does not end there. A flurry of comments and opinions—analyses of the past game and predictions for the next—floods the media once again.
Somehow, we just have this need to express our opinions and put forth our expectations. Yet all the expectations and opinions, in the end, would not really determine how the game would unfold, would they? The truth is, we have no control whatsoever on the outcome of the game. So can’t we just watch the game, and enjoy it for what it is? Can’t we just let the players do their thing in the best way they can, and let the game be? We may follow the drama, the ups and downs, of the game. We may cheer for our team. We may celebrate when they win, or groan when they lose. But too much analysis can spoil the fun.
Many times we try to do the same thing in our approach to life. We overdo the building of our expectations and the setting of our opinions on that which we do not have any control. We over analyze every facet of our existence and endeavors. And when things begin to go in a direction other than what we expect, we begin to worry too much. And when they do not end up as expected, we become overly disappointed and discouraged. We could even become so depressed that it squeezes the “fun” out of life.
I’m not saying that we shouldn’t have any expectations and opinions in life. Just that perhaps we ought also to recognize that there are things way beyond our understanding and control. It is best to align with the sage who declared: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own estimation; fear the LORD and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3.5–7 NET).
—Keith Y. Jainga