A Christian Parent's Guide to Navigating Youth SportsSýnishorn

Peace Over Pressure: Helping Young Athletes Embody Peace Through Sport Participation

In his benediction at the end of his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul writes, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV). There are four things we can learn about peace in this short verse:

1. God is peace. Paul says, “May the Lord of peace.” He is saying that God is the essence of peace.

2. As the true essence of peace, God can give it to us. He doesn’t run out of peace, so he does not need to be stingy. He can give it to us “at all times.”

3. He can also give us peace differently depending on what we need. Paul mentions that God gives us peace “in every way,” which means there must be more than one specific way to get it.

4. God’s peace always comes from his presence. Paul finishes the verse by saying, “The Lord be with you all.” When the “Lord of peace” is with you, he brings “peace” along with him!

Christian parent, youth sports is an anxiety-producing machine. Even if we are well-intentioned, we often contribute to this pandemic. How? As the bills pile up, the travel increases, and the competition rises, kids feel pressure from everywhere—coaches, parents, social media, and even their own perfectionism. They worry about playing time, living up to unrealistic expectations, and not letting down the people they care about. Unfortunately, the result of a game is often viewed as an extension of their identity, instead of it just being another opportunity to compete. If professional athletes even struggle with this type of pressure, why would we think young kids are immune to the stress?

For many children, especially those under 13, this pressure turns what used to be a joyful activity into a fearful one. It’s a big reason why 70% of them quit sports altogether before they become teenagers.

What does that mean for us as Christian parents? The Apostle Paul gives us a beautiful answer in Philippians.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6,7 ESV).

When stress rises, Scripture offers a different path. God doesn’t minimize our worries—he invites us to bring them to him. And when we do, he exchanges our anxiety for peace. Not the temporary peace that comes from a win or a great performance, but his peace—a deep, lasting, soul-level peace that “surpasses all understanding.”

As parents, we can be either a source of pressure—or a voice of calm. We can be the embodiment of what Paul is teaching in Philippians 4:6-7. No, we don’t need to fix everything. But there are ways we can step into the youth sports space and help our young athletes grow their "peace muscles".

Action Steps:

Here are a few ways to disciple your child toward peace as they play sports:

• Listen first and coach second. When your child is anxious, don’t jump to solutions. Ask questions like, “What are you most nervous about today?” or “Who are you afraid of letting down?” Then just listen and empathize.
• Change the goal. When your child fears losing, help them set a different goal, like doing their personal best or learning something new.
• Keep perspective. Remind them (and yourself) that sports are just one part of life. Win or lose, your love—and God’s—is not on the line.
• Pray together. Teach your child to bring their fears to God. A simple pregame prayer can go a long way: “God, thank you for today. Help me play with joy and courage. No matter what happens, I trust you.”

Prayer:

God, thank you that you are “the Lord of peace” and that peace is available “at all times in every way.” Help us to be parents who pursue peace over pressure—for our kids’ sake, and for ours.