Joy in the Battle

Competition

Think about a time when you did something challenging. Maybe it was a tough conditioning session in the heat or playing through freezing temperatures. Or a moment when you were completely exhausted but still pushed through. Whatever that moment is for you, I want you to visualize that moment and notice how you felt. How did you react to that adversity? How did you find the strength to keep going?

Being an athlete is challenging. It is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. We are asked to give our best every day. Yet, when the source of our strength comes from ourselves, we will grow tired. Our reserve of strength is limited; we are only human after all. But as followers of Christ, we have access to God’s unlimited supply of strength through the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 40:30-31 tells us that even though we get tired and stumble, those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will rise high like eagles, run without tiring, and walk without growing weak.

What a word of encouragement! This verse has carried me through tough workouts and times when I wanted to quit. If you're like me, you might still find yourself feeling weak even though you know the Lord is with you. How do we tap into God’s unlimited supply of strength when we need it most? Through a smile!

Nehemiah 8:10 tells us not to grieve, for the joy of the Lord is our strength.

In my junior year of college, we played an NCAA tournament game in the middle of a snowstorm. Rather than complain about the weather and snow-covered field, my team embraced it. We danced around in the snow and laughed before kickoff. Sixteen seconds into the match, we scored a goal. Our joy carried us through a difficult moment and gave us the strength to battle extreme weather.

Joy is an incredible source of strength. Think about it. Consider the contrast of someone who approaches life with a positive attitude. They are much more likely to accomplish the task at hand than someone who is discouraged. Emotional energy is powerful! We can find strength by approaching a competition or tough training session with a smile. A positive outlook helps us face the challenge. The joy of the Lord is constant and immovable. No circumstance can shake it.

Psalm 23:1 says, “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” What great news for us! It means that God has already given us all we need. Whatever is necessary to accomplish God’s purpose for our lives, we already have. That means that we can approach every challenge with a joyful heart and a positive outlook.

Application Questions:

• What is one way you can remind yourself that you operate in God’s strength, not your own, during a match or competition?
• What is one area in your training plan where you can work on a more joyful attitude?

Prayer:

God, we thank You that when we are weak, You are strong. Help us draw strength from our faith in you. May we operate not on our own but in the joy and power of the Holy Spirit. Help us remember that in You, we lack nothing! Amen.