I absolutely love college football. Some of my most cherished memories are the countless Saturdays I’ve spent watching the Georgia Bulldogs with my family. Like so many other families here in the South, we are not casual fans. As a matter of fact, each day of the week consists of many elements leading up to the big games each weekend. We love the many press conferences, call-in shows with head coaches and, of course, the Paul Finebaum Show is one of our absolute favorites.

One of the most frequent exchanges we’ve heard over the years has to do with conditions. As the season kicks off around Labor Day weekend, temps in the South are still quite warm. But, as we’ve seen this week here in Georgia, one cold snap in the first part of November changes everything. Coaches are often asked about how these types of conditions affect their team. “How will your team deal with the heat?” “How will your team deal with the cold?” “What about the rain forecasted for kickoff?” Aside from weather-related inquiries, there are always questions about injuries, home-field advantage and the benefits and disadvantages of playing an early game at 12:00 Noon in contrast to a night game that kicks at 7:00 PM.

We’ve witnessed so many head coaches give the same answer for these types of questions: “Both teams will have to deal with the (insert whatever condition you like here).” They’re not wrong. If it’s hot, both teams have to play in the heat. Same for the cold, the rain, the time of day and many other factors that impact the competition on the field. While there are a few conditions that favor or negatively affect one team or another, such as a star player being injured (I’m thinking of Brock Bowers), an extremely skilled head coach or home-field advantage, a lot of the conditions are the same for both teams.

This reminds me of something I believe has become a major problem in today’s society. Many people today can’t commit to winning in their life unless they know the conditions of their situation. Their first questions are, “What are the conditions?” “Do I have home-field advantage?” “Are the skies clear or will it be raining?” “Is it a warm night? Is it cold?” Simply put…too many people determine their ability to win on the conditions around them. They’ve formed a habit of saying, “The reason I’m not winning in this area of my life is because the conditions won’t allow me to be successful.” In Luke 14:16-20, Jesus shared a parable about a man who hosted a supper. He was subsequently rejected by those he invited.

16 Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, 17 and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ 18 But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ 20 Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Lk 14:16–20.

Here’s the simple truth: conditions have no bearing on whether we win or lose. It really all comes down to what we want to do. Do we want to win or do we want to lose? Conditions may affect your strategy but, to be successful in life, we must never allow our conditions to determine our outcomes. John Maxwell said it best…”The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.”

It’s heartbreaking to see so many people impacted negatively by their circumstances. What’s worse is how they let those conditions determine whether they win or lose. “I’ll be faithful to my wife, if the conditions are right.” “I’ll give my best effort on the job if the conditions are right.” “I’ll be on time if the conditions are right.” “I’ll love and support my church if the conditions are right.” How sad! So much of our commitment and dedication to our spouses, our families, our workplace and our churches is conditional. Loyalty seems to be a thing of the past. There are too many people limping around, missing out on the best life has to offer and the reason they give is that the conditions aren’t right for victory.

If you are not winning in your life, in your marriage, in your family, in your career, in your ministry, it is not because the conditions aren’t right. If you have no joy, your conditions aren’t to blame. If your life is filled with discouragement, depression and despondency…it is not because your conditions aren’t right. Victory is not dependent on conditions. Victory is dependent on your will to win or your acceptance of defeat. Some might say, “Pastor, that’s very black and white. Life just isn’t that simple.”

Think about this for just a moment…the world is run by many people who don’t “feel like it.” It’s not that their conditions are perfect. They’ve simply made up their mind that they’re going to be victorious. Take a look at 1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV.

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 1 Co 15:57.

God never promised us we’d never have to deal with adverse conditions. He never guaranteed us that we wouldn’t have to press through difficult circumstances. What He did was assure us that, through His Son, Jesus Christ, we will be victorious. I’m not sure what you’re facing today but I’d like to encourage you not to follow the fad of making excuses and blaming the lack of victory in your life on your conditions. We serve a God who is much, much bigger than the happenings around us. He stands ready to give you the victory you desperately need.

Great coaches not only resist excuses…they deplore them. They can’t stand the thought of blaming the heat, the cold, the rain, or the time of the game for why their team didn’t fare that well. Don’t settle for defeat. Don’t blame your conditions. Lift your head in faith and declare victory for your life. Stand on the Word of God, despite your circumstances. There’s only one condition that affects whether you win or lose. That condition was determined by the victory Jesus died to give you. Standing on His victory over death, hell and the grave…you simply cannot lose.