The Comeback Story

It was a chilly December evening, and the stadium was packed with fans, their breath visible in the cold air. The New England Patriots were facing the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. By the end of the third quarter, the Patriots were down 28-9. The odds seemed insurmountable, and many had already written them off. But in the fourth quarter, something incredible happened. Tom Brady, with his unyielding determination, led the Patriots to score 19 points, tying the game and forcing it into overtime. The Patriots went on to win 34-28, completing one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history.

The Metaphor: A Day In 4 Quarters

Just like a football game, our day can be divided into four quarters. Each quarter represents a part of our day: morning, late morning, afternoon, and evening. Often, we judge our entire day based on how the first few quarters go. If the morning starts off rough, we might feel like the whole day is doomed. If the late morning and afternoon don’t go as planned, we might be tempted to give up, thinking the day is a lost cause.

The Fourth Quarter: A Chance to Win

But just like the Patriots in Super Bowl LI, we have a fourth quarter. No matter how the first three quarters of our day have gone, the fourth quarter is an opportunity to turn things around. It’s a chance to persist, to push through, and to make the most of the time we have left. The fourth quarter is a reminder that it’s never too late to make a comeback.

That project you’ve been putting off? You can start it in the fourth quarter. That relationship you’ve neglected? You can send the text or make the call in the fourth quarter. That workout you skipped this morning? You can still move your body before bed.

Champions aren’t just defined by how they start—they’re remembered for how they finish.

Don’t write off the day. Don’t bench yourself when there’s still game left to play. Dig deep. Adjust your strategy. Persist. Win your fourth quarter.

Persist and Win

Life is full of challenges and setbacks, but it’s also full of opportunities for comebacks. When we find ourselves down and out, we can look to the fourth quarter as a time to regroup, refocus, and push forward with renewed determination. Remember, it’s not over until it’s over. Keep fighting, keep believing, and keep pushing forward.

Scripture for Encouragement

“Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.”

—Galatians 6:9 (CSB)

Let’s embrace the fourth quarter with the same determination and hope, knowing that we have the power to turn things around and finish strong.