Seven Fears Athletes Face; Seven Truths God Gives Chikamu

Fear of Failure

Ready: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

Set: Oftentimes, we let our emotions rule our play. Ideal playing conditions tell us to be loose, peel away our expectations and let all the hours of preparation work with what our bodies know to do and compete. But this is easier said than done.

We can compete as if we are weighed down by worry of losing, especially when we seem to be the favorites going into a game or match. There’s a tightness we can’t get rid of, a voice in the back of our minds telling us we’d better not mess this up, and we wonder what our coaches and teammates will think if we let them down. We’re so wrapped up in our performance and the outcome that we forget to see God simply wants us to show up and play for Him.

Here’s the truth: You will not fail because God never fails you. 

He sticks with us because He loves us, because we have been identified with Christ through His death and resurrection and now approach our heavenly Father with confidence. He is always faithful and true, and we can rest knowing that however we play, if we play as praise and worship to Him, that’s what matters. The game is won or lost, we hit a personal best or blunder, but ultimately, we rest in who He says we are and can know that our efforts please our Father.

Be bold. Play with passion. Be confident in who you are, because of Him. It’s a lot easier to watch what God will do with the simple love of the game. 

Go:

1. Where do you feel you will fail most?

2. How can you let God speak into that place with His truth?  

3. How do you need to remember that God will never fail you?

Workout: 

Deuteronomy 31:6

Psalm 118:6

Matthew 17:7

Overtime: “I fear that I will fail, let down coaches, teammates, family, and those who watch how I perform. But You never fail me. You tell me in Your Word that You will never leave or forsake me, and I want to hold to that truth. I want to live in confidence knowing that You always go before me. Amen.”