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GRATEFUL ATHLETE’S JOY IS NOT CONDITIONAL
I have to imagine that the people who were trying to imprison and discourage the Apostle Paul were constantly frustrated that he exuded joy no matter what they did to him. As Paul is chained up in a jail cell in Rome, he had every right to feel defeated. But Paul’s joy was not contingent on circumstances going the way he thought they would. In fact, Paul has the nerve to write to the church at Philippi that his imprisonment is actually a good thing! Why? Because it has served to help advance the Gospel. That was Paul’s life mission. Missional clarity allowed Paul to find joy and gratitude in every situation.
Because joy is not circumstantial. Joy is not conditional. And this type of joy—the kind that transcends all earthly understanding—can only be found by fixing our eyes on Jesus.
A relationship with God gives us the ability to experience joy in the midst of the hardships of our athletic experience. The joy of being in relationship with God allows us to flex our gratitude muscles in ways that are uncommon to the rest of the world.
Grateful athletes want to win championships. But they do not need a win or an epic personal best to be thankful. A grateful heart does not need perfect circumstances to thrive because its roots find nourishment regardless of the soil it sits in.
Grateful athletes understand lasting joy cannot be found in a game delivering both the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. How do they set themselves on a trajectory of consistent gratitude?
They put their hope in the one who does not change. God. They read—no, devour His word. They participate—no, are actively involved in a community of like-minded people to sharpen one another.
They pray.
They confess.
At all costs, they stay connected to the one who calls himself “The Rock.”
Gratitude Challenge: Answer this question honestly: “If I only had ____________, then I would be happy.” If you answered anything in that blank space but Jesus, you don’t need to freak out. But you do need to confess it. Tell God you are sorry that you are looking for joy apart from Him. Ask Him to draw near to you and to experience Him in a fresh way today.
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About this Plan
Gratitude is like a muscle—it gets stronger if we consistently give it attention and push it beyond its level of comfort. Conversely, if we fail to exercise it consistently, our ability to be thankful atrophies. It needs to become a habit. With that in mind, here are seven habits of thankful athletes, mental choices that athletes can incorporate into their daily lives to grow and maintain their gratitude “muscles.”
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