Orlando Magic's DeClercq finds strength in God's promises despite losing season

ORLANDO (FBW) — Basketball might be just a game to some, but for Orlando Magic center Andrew DeClercq, it’s a lot more.

That’s why a season like the one winding down has been so difficult for him.

National Basketball Association Entertainment photo by Ron Hoskins

"Even though this is just sport and just a game, this is our job," said DeClercq, who attends at Windermere First Baptist Church during the basketball season. "Our whole life is wrapped around what happens, as far as the future, contracts, everything. This is a big part of our lives, and years like this are tough on everybody."

The Magic have been the NBA’s worst team all season. Even Tracy McGrady, one of the league’s best players, hasn’t been able to rescue the team from last place. After winning the season opener against the New York Knicks, Orlando lost 19 straight games to set the tone for the rest of the year.

For DeClercq and his teammates, the season hasn’t been much fun.

"Obviously we’re trying to win, trying to do the best we can every day," DeClercq said. "Facing a season where you’re only winning 20 games, it’s tough mentally to stay prepared and stay with it."

The losses are also hard for DeClercq to leave on the court.

"It affects every part of your life," he said. "It brings a lot of worry in."

But despite the difficulties, DeClercq has found strength in the promises of God, and he tries to keep things in perspective.

A devotional book he uses, Streams in the Desert, talks about going through difficult times spiritually, but DeClercq said he can relate that to going through a tough season.

"Through everything, God is in it," he said. "Sometimes He gives us trials and testings to draw us closer to Him, for us to learn to depend on Him."