Another stat the NFL calculates for quarterbacks is something called the quarterback rating. This number, calculated on a 1-100 scale, basically values the quarterback with all passing stats in consideration—yards, completions, interceptions and touchdowns. In 2022, Mahomes’ overall/average regular season quarterback rating was a 79.0, while in 2023 it was a 63.1, eighth in the league. But what I loved about Mahomes’ performance in the 2023 season was how he flipped a switch once the playoffs came around. Enter: Playoff Patrick. With the stakes raised and much more on the line, Playoff Patrick was a different beast for opponents to contend with. He rose to a visibly different level. Even as a viewer through the TV screen, I felt like I could see the difference just in observing his focus and demeanor! His quarterback rating shot up to an impressive 86.6 during the postseason. His eyes were on the prize, and he was determined to lead his team to a second consecutive Super Bowl victory, which he did. 

How do you respond in pressure situations? Is there a “Playoff Patrick” version of yourself that kicks into place? Of course, every single day God wants us to try our best to live in a Christlike manner, eyes on Him, relying on the Holy Spirit to sanctify us and make us more and more like Jesus. But life brings pressure situations that require even greater focus. The stakes can be high in a variety of ways. For now, let’s think about times when you might have lots of eyes on you. Maybe you’re a leader in some capacity, or maybe you’re in a season of spotlight. Maybe you had a life event happen, whether exciting or devastating, that has people watching you. No matter what the cause, any time when there are lots of pairs of eyes on you comes with pressure. So how do you typically respond in pressure situations? How would you like to respond? 

Someone in the Bible who often had lots of people watching him was David. From a shepherd boy to a king, David rose to greatness under an undeniable anointing from God. The beginning of his time in the public spotlight seems to have begun when he killed the Philistine giant, Goliath, with a rock in a slingshot. Eventually, David became king of the Israelites, and a public figure like a king basically lives in a pressure cooker most of the time. How did he handle the pressure? He wasn’t perfect. (Playoff Patrick wasn’t, either, by the way!) But God called David a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22). So clearly he was doing a few things right in the midst of tremendous pressure. 

Here are a few lessons we can learn from David about how to glorify and point to God in times of pressure:

Inquire of the Lord. Many different times throughout 1 and 2 Samuel, the books that tell David’s story, we see the phrase, “David inquired of the Lord.” It was usually about battle strategy. For example, 2 Samuel 5:19 says: So David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.” Bottom line? When you’re not sure what to do, ask God for direction. That in itself is a powerful example to set for anybody watching you.

Praise God unashamedly. When you’re experiencing God’s favor and things are going your way, be quick to give Him praise! And don’t be afraid to do it publicly. At one point during David’s reign, the Ark of the Covenant was brought back to Jerusalem where it belonged. David was so thrilled about this that he danced like nobody was watching—literally. 2 Samuel 6:14-15 says: Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. Since the verse says he was dancing before the Lord, I’d venture to guess that the people watching knew his celebration was directed toward God. If you’re in a position or season where people are watching, praise and thank God for His blessings, favor, answered prayers, guidance and goodness. 

Be quick to repent. David was human, so he was far from perfect. You’ve probably read about some of the mistakes he made. One time he got himself into a hugely messy situation that involved committing adultery with Bathsheba and then issuing orders for the woman’s husband to be killed in battle (2 Samuel 11). Living a high profile life under pressure certainly does not excuse sin, and the Lord was not pleased with David’s actions. Soon after, God sent a prophet, Nathan, to David to essentially call him out. David got the message and admitted his costly mistakes in 2 Samuel 12:13. Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” When his feet were held to the fire, David was quick to own up to his mistakes. God forgave David, but he had to deal with painful repercussions stemming from his sinful actions. Sin is inevitable. How quickly are you confessing and repenting? The quicker you do that, the quicker God can strengthen and restore you. David had to deal with the death of his son (conceived in his sinful act with Bathsheba), but then God blessed David and Bathsheba with a son, Solomon, who would go on to become a renowned king of Israel. I wonder how David’s pressure-filled life as king would have gone differently if he had chosen not to acknowledge his sin? How might your life change if you’re honest with God about your mistakes?

Share honestly with God. You might already know that many of the Psalms (in the Old Testament book of Psalms) were written by David throughout the course of his life. These psalms, or songs, were often penned in response to different things happening in David’s life. As we study them today, they read as quite the dialogue. Dialogue? Yes! David was expressing his thoughts, emotions, questions, frustrations, fears and gratitude to God. It sure seems like he didn’t hold anything back. In Psalm 3, David is crying out to God for help and deliverance from enemies. In Psalm 6, he tells God that he’s worn out, weak and tired. In Psalm 8, he’s praising God for His majesty and power! In Psalm 14, he turns to God feeling discouraged by ungodly people. In Psalm 51, David is humbly and openly begging for forgiveness because he knows he messed up. Read through the book, and you’ll find a little bit of everything! I don’t know how many of the psalms were shared with other people, but surely some of them were. And surely the folks around David sometimes saw him sitting off to himself, journaling and writing songs to the Lord. Furthermore, don’t you think David’s example taught the people that they could take their honest opinions straight to God, too? When you’re filled with passionate thoughts and emotions, where do you take them? Set the tone. Share honestly with God. He can handle anything you ask or express, and He’d much rather you go directly to Him instead of, well, anywhere else. 

Playoff Patrick has proven that he thrives under pressure. When the postseason begins and more eyes than ever are on the Kansas City Chiefs, it’s like he steps into his own little world—undoubtedly elevated, intensely focused and extremely efficient. You can thrive under pressure, too. When the circumstances of your life have brought eyes upon you, take some cues from David. Inquire of the Lord when you’re trying to figure out your next move. Praise Him unashamedly when He blesses you. Be quick to confess and repent when you mess up (and you will mess up, you’re human). And no matter what’s going on, good or bad, share openly and honestly with God whatever thoughts are going through your mind. 

Finally, remember that while some times in our lives can be more pressure-packed than others, as disciples of Jesus, we are always under pressure to make Jesus known to the world around us. Even if you’re “just” a stay-at-home mom, a back room office clerk, an exhausted kindergarten teacher or a burger flipper at McDonald’s, you are under pressure. People around you (hopefully) know that you follow Christ, which means they’re watching how you handle whatever life throws your way. With the help of the Holy Spirit, you can embrace the pressure and shine your light for the world to see!

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:14-16