Seven Fears Athletes Face; Seven Truths God Gives Sample

Fear of Not Being Good Enough

Ready: “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” – Hebrews 12:2 (NLT) 

Set: 

The fear of not being “good enough.” It follows us around like a pestering cold that won’t leave. We’re assailed with impossible standards, created by our own perceptions, or the rules of others. We want to know that we measure up, fit in, and are accepted and deemed worthy. We set our sights high on success, tumbling down to disappointment if we fall short in what we perceive that success to be. 

So, how do we battle the tension of “never enough” with “already more than enough”?

Here’s the truth: You are enough. Just as you are. 

You are purposefully and wonderfully created by a kind and purposeful God, and what He says is absolute. Understanding our identity in Him who formed all things aligns us with a certainty that we are already worthy in His eyes. He does not love us any less when the score or our performance doesn’t go the way we’d like. His care is continuous.

When we keep our eyes fixed on Him and who He says we are, there’s a solid foundation that solidifies inside us and we take this truth into our game. If we can rest our identity in Him, the author and perfecter of our faith, it doesn’t matter what the outcome is. When we’re anchored in our truth that we are a child of God, setbacks make us stronger. Look to God alone for validation. 

Go:

1. Why do we worry that we won’t be “good enough” for God? 

2. When have you been afraid of not being good enough? 

3. What can you tell yourself that is God’s truth instead?

Workout: 

Psalm 139:13-16

Matthew 6:26 

1 Peter 5:7

Overtime: “God, there are times when I feel like I am not enough, cannot do enough, or be enough to earn favor in the eyes of others, and You. But You remind me that in You, I am more than enough. Help me to live this out each day in confidence, to take it into my sport and my daily life. Amen.”