One day, it could happen: you don’t get picked for the team. Suddenly, you wonder what all your hard work has been for. You wonder if a university will offer you a scholarship now. Your dream of being a professional athlete seems to be over. You were just on top of the world, and now, it feels like the world is crushing you.
Fatima has been at a low point like this. It’s why she likes what the prophet Jeremiah says. He was at a low point, too. God had tasked him with telling his people that their troubles were far from over. They would be exiled from their home—again. That probably felt worse than walking off the pitch knowing you don’t get to play next time. Somehow, in these dark moments, Jeremiah shines a light.
I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering.
Jeremiah 29:11 (CEV)
The Teammates
Fatima
Sport: Soccer
One of the hardest moments in sports is team selections for school or age-group teams. I get so discouraged when other girls are selected and I am not. Sports can be unpredictable. One day my team may win and the next day we may lose. One day I may play well and another day I may struggle. But this verse reminds me that God has a good plan for my life, even when things don’t go the way I expect. In those moments, I remember that God’s plans are greater than my plans. During the hardest times, God’s Word and his presence give me strength and motivation to keep going and not give up. Trusting the Lord helps me focus on playing my best. Because I trust him to have good things for me, I can play whatever position or sit on the sidelines with confidence!
Jeremiah, the Prophet
The people of Israel are torn away from the land God promised. That’s when God asks Jeremiah to speak. He has to tell the people that their situation isn’t going to change soon. They don’t get a quick fix. They don’t get what they want. But he still gives them good news: they can do great things and bring God glory right where they are. They can be creative. They can make peace.
He gives them the hope that God still wants good things for them, even though those good things aren’t happening at the time. God will bless them more than they can imagine! They can trust him to keep his promise. As Jeremiah looks around at sad, discouraged people, he raises their heads so their eyes can focus on God.
The Connection
We don’t always get what we want, especially in sports. You can probably think of when that’s been true for you (like dealing with an injury)! Jeremiah encourages us to have hope anyway, because God is still good and has good things planned for us even when we don’t get what we want.
Fatima trusts God to be good, honest, and mighty. This trust keeps her focused on how God wants to use her and her sport in the moment. He might want to teach her patience, perseverance, or selflessness. Her confidence in God gives her the confidence to face anything, even not getting selected to be on a team. That’s an unstoppable attitude!
For the Players
Reflect: What is something you want that you might not get? Tell it to God and ask him to help you trust him!
Share: Think of a teammate who is worried about the future. Remind them that God has good things for them, and that he keeps his promises!
Take a moment to pray:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your blessings,
For filling me with hope
Whenever I’m afraid. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Even in the worst situations,
When things don’t turn out how I want,
I know that you are faithful to your promise; (Deuteronomy 7:9)
You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
Every good thing in my life comes from you;
Help me depend on you,
To let you lead me and be my guide,
To do your will and surrender to your ways. (Psalm 37:4–5)
Amen.
Press in! Take a moment to read: Romans 8:28
Want more on this topic? Check out Philippians 4:12–13 – When an Injury Brings You Low
For Coaches and Parents
Read aloud with your team or athlete!
When unexpected things happen, we can feel overwhelmed and not know what to do. Like Fatima, we can remember specific things we know about God to help us know what to feel and to do. And like Jeremiah, we can take what we know about God and tell it to others so they have the same encouragement.
A question for the team/athlete:
What is something you know about God that you can remind yourself of when something unexpected happens?
(Allow a few responses from the team/athlete, then read the follow-up message.)
Follow-up:
Staying focused isn’t easy. When things don’t go our way, we often need someone to be like Jeremiah for us. Someone to tell us the truth and remind us to hope when we are distracted by hard events. That’s what a coach/parent is for! I’m here to remind you of what is true: God loves you and has good plans for you.
