After big tournaments, especially after losses, I always experience anxiety. I start to question every decision that I make. Sometimes, my anxiety gets so bad that I don’t even want to coach.
But I love coaching, so I find ways to overcome those feelings.
I felt the same way as an athlete. I would get very nervous before big games, and if I didn’t play well, I would be very emotional after them. Sometimes I would be so nervous that I would question why I played, but again, I love sports so much that I learned how to overcome and continue to do it.
One of the things that has always helped me was being prepared. When I put in the work and felt prepared, I am always less anxious before and after the game. When I do all that I can, I am better able to manage my emotions.
Doing our part and doing all we can is a big part of being a coach and athlete, and for me as a Christian, trusting that God will take care of the rest is the ultimate goal and
Isaiah was a very smart prophet who often spoke with and advised kings. He came at a time when there was a lot of sin in the world, and the Israelites were being punished for their sin. He shared both a message of judgment and hope. He warned Israel’s corrupt leaders that their rebellion against their covenant with God would come at a cost, and God would use their enemies to enslave and destroy them. But Isaiah also believed that God would fulfill all His covenant promises by sending a future king from the line of David (2 Samuel 7) and that we would need to obey the laws of the covenant that were made at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19) so that God’s blessings and salvation and blessing would flow out to all the nations like God promised to Abraham in Genesis 12.
Isaiah’s life changed forever when he saw God sitting on His heavenly throne. His vision of God pierced him to his core, causing him to cry out, “I am a man of unclean lips. For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts (Isaiah 6:5).”
Seeing this made him realize just how corrupt he and his people were, and he even thought he was going to be destroyed by God’s holiness. But instead, one of the seraphim flew to him with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar, and he touched Isaiah’s lips and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
God then sent Isaiah back to earth to tell the people that their land will be destroyed because they refuse to listen to and obey God’s word.
But he also told the Israelites that because of God’s promise to David, God is going to send a new king to save Israel.
Good and bad things happen to everyone. The more we read God’s Bible, pray to Him, listen to and for Him, and make decisions that He would be pleased with, the more love, joy, and peace we can have and live with. But no matter what, God is with us.
As God said would happen, the Israelites were attacked and conquered, but God never left them.
In Isaiah 41:10, God says, “Fear not, for I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
Do good things, do what you are supposed to do to the best of your ability, and trust that God is with you. Don’t be anxious; if you are, 1 Peter 5:7 says “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for us.”
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1 - What is one thing that makes you anxious?
2 - What has helped you overcome that anxiety?
3 - How do you know when you first start feeling anxious? 4 - What is something you can do to combat those feelings of anxiety as they come?
Remember, God has amazing plans for you. He has plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). All things work together for the good of those who believe (Romans 8:28). Pray, cast your cares to the Lord, and then go do good, enjoy life, and make someone smile while God takes care of the rest.
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