True Warrior’s Spirit: The will to come back

Game 7: After Stephen Curry made his final 3-pt shot. (picture was taken from NBA)

Here’s my post last week (25 May 2016) after Golden State Warriors (GSW) went down with 1-3 in their series with Oklahoma City Thunders (OKC).

When you are performing so well, people will parade and hail you like a king… but when you are struggling to perform, they mock and pin you down. One thing I know though, great men take these “challenges” as an inspiration to come back.

This series is far from over yet and I’m still rooting for GSW but I gotta admit, OKC is really making a HUGE surprise this playoffs! After knocking Spurs out of the race, they are now making a big statement to the “best team” in the regular season.

After their 3^rd loss, the odds were not on GSW’s side. Bashers and doubters of Stephen Curry and GSW surfaced in social media like a storm! I couldn’t blame them though as OKC was really playing like “giants”! But with their great comeback today, I have seen once again what it means to have the true spirit of a warrior.

1. Doubters will never leave you. 

In your pursuit of your dreams, expect doubters will keep on taunting you and “giants” will continue to scare you. Well, that’s who they are. Doubters will keep on doubting but remember who you truly are. True warriors will keep on fighting and working their way out. That’s the spirit! It faces defeat at times but never gives in.

2. Surround yourself with a good “team”.

When GSW was down and players missing shots, they continued trusting each other and playing for one another. I think that’s what a perfect team means. You may miss a shot now but they believe that the next one will get in.

On the same manner, look for a good team.  Surround yourself with a group of people who will keep on believing in you not just when you are on high pedestal but more importantly when you are at your lowliest moment. A team who will not expect you to be at your best form at all times but who trust you no matter what.

3. Not everything is about you.

Entering the last quarter of Game 6, Steph told Klay, “This is your time. You know, put on a show out there and have fun.” When the “best player” of the team sets aside his personal gain and show his trust in you then for me, that is more than inspiring to step up indeed.

I was just sharing with my Life Group last week that if I will sum-up life in just one word, it’s “relationship”. Relationship with GOD and with the people around us. In our own battle, we have to remember that, as a believer, not everything is about us : what we can do, what we can show, what we can give. Your accomplishments would mean nothing if you have not inspired others. I believe that’s one of the purposes of having a warrior’s spirit – to rub it off to next person to you.  You excel so you can inspire others to excel too. You fall at times but you trust that someone is there to cover your back. At the end of the day, it’s not about how much you have put on the table, but it’s about our ultimate goal. It’s all about GOD and HIS kingdom.

 

4.  Take one at a time

This is cliche, but it’s so true. To come back from 3-1 deficit is really a huge task (meaning, GSW had to win 3 straight games to win the series; another loss would make them out of the race). I bet it was overwhelming for them but they took it one game at a time. They never doubted what they can do.

When our goals are way too overwhelming, take one step at a time. Winning doesn’t only mean winning big moments. In fact, it usually starts with our small steps. To achieve the best of tomorrow, I believe our best step is to focus on our “now”. Give our best in each step then eventually we will see ourselves finishing the race. Give high regard to HARD WORD, OBEDIENCE, CONSISTENCY, and FAITHFULNESS.

 

“And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:2-5, NIV

 

PS: I have nothing against OKC. I actually admired how they fought so hard and made this series worth remembering. Now, I’m excited for the rematch of GSW and CAVS (now that the key players of Cavs are all healthy). I like both teams actually… I guess the question is, WHO IS HUNGIER for the title?