Struggle and Triumph: Olympians' StoriesSample
"The Truth Shall Set You Free"
Diver Brittany Viola’s life took an unexpected turn when she sought treatment for an eating disorder. Halfway through her treatment program, a woman there asked her if she wanted to be free from her disorder and then asked if she had invited God into her life. “I prayed and received Christ right there,” Brittany says. “I remember being really excited afterward and not knowing why.”
But Brittany’s struggles didn’t end there. After she returned home and started college she says, “Life got more difficult as I made that transition into balancing the student-athlete lifestyle.”
One of her teammates invited her to church, and she finally went after refusing about 15 times. Then another friend started reading the Bible with her. Attending a Bible study helped Brittany to grow in her faith. “I started learning that there was so much more to this relationship with God than I could imagine.”
“Over the years the struggle with my eating began to lessen. Having the truth of God with me helped me press forward. It was His truth that replaced the lies that overtook me.”
As Brittany devoted herself to knowing God and studying His Word, she gained His perspective on her life and found freedom from her eating disorder.
“My eating disorder was the first area where the Lord worked in my life; then He started becoming involved in every part. Diving was one of the most difficult areas for me to realize that God could express His power. As I have pressed into Him, I’ve realized my diving is His gift, and I have all these opportunities because of Him.”
Questions: In what area(s) of your life would you like to experience freedom in Christ? As you continue reading and studying God’s Word, what lies are you exchanging with His truth?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, You described Yourself as the Truth. Expose lies I am believing about You or about myself so that I can experience the freedom of Your truth.
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About this Plan
Learn from the stories of Olympic athletes who have endured difficulty and trials to experience victory through their reliance on God. This month-long reading plan explores how the Word of God can speak to our hearts in our most devastating struggles and amazing triumphs.
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We would like to thank Athletes in Action for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: http://struggleandtriumph.com/