In every sport, you have to make the next best move without knowing how it’s going to turn out. Your decision could result in an injury. Or it could cause you to lose. In these circumstances, it’s hard to not let fear control you.

Tai has been injured before and worries it could happen again. Nurbas feels the anxiety of not knowing what will happen every time he plays his sport. But God knows the outcome, and when they pray to him, they start to experience his peace.

Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.
Philippians 4:6–7 (CEV)

The Teammates

Tai
Sport: Futsal

My opponents close in. I start to feel afraid they might slide-tackle me. The anxiety of trying to protect myself floods my body. In futsal, if the other team gets in a player’s head and makes him afraid, he can get hurt. I know that just because it happens once doesn’t mean it can’t happen again. It’s not easy to let go of fear when an injury may put me out of the game. I know the promise that God is with me, and in these moments, I try to trust him. But living according to Philippians 4:6–7 takes time. And sometimes, injuries happen anyway. Slowly, God works to exchange my fear for his patience and peace.

Nurbas
Sport: Table tennis

The hardest thing about table tennis is that you can’t predict what will happen next. An opponent may be good one day and bad the next. Or I may be. But with prayer and a thankful heart, I can give all my hopes and fears to the Lord. He knows the outcome. Even in an impossible situation, he can make anything possible. I like to encourage people in my sport because you never know who could become a nation prodigy. Because I have confidence that God is in control, I can share encouragement without comparing myself to a competitor or teammate. Whether I play poorly or excellently, God is with me.

The Connection

Trusting God to take care of you regardless of the outcome takes practice, and Tai knows it’s a slow process. Nurbas tries to view the unknowns with curiosity: maybe today is an opportunity to win against all odds or encourage someone that becomes a prodigy!

Either way, the outcome doesn’t determine your peace: God does. When you pray to him, a peace that is hard to explain will fill you. This peace will impact your thoughts and feelings. If you’re anxious today, ask God to take care of your worries and give you his peace. He is with you!

For the Players

Reflect: What do you know about God that makes you feel safe when you don’t know what’s going to happen?

Share: Tell one of your teammates, your coach, or a parent what you’re worried about. Together, pray to God with thankful hearts and ask for his peace.

Take a moment to pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your peace,
For comforting me in ways I can’t understand
And surrounding me with your perfect presence. (Philippians 4:7)
Before I practice or compete
It’s easy to feel anxious about the unknown,
But my help comes from you, O Lord,
The maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2)
Guard my mind from all fear and desire to be in control,
And create in me a thankful heart.
Because of your great love for me,
You turn my sorrows into joy (Psalm 30:11)
And your joy is my strength; (Nehemiah 8:10)
I know that I can depend on you.

Amen.

Press in! Take a moment to read: Matthew 6:31–34

Want more on this topic? Check out Psalm 27:1 – Trade Fear for Freedom

For Coaches and Parents

Read aloud with your team or athlete!

One thing that worries Tai is getting injured again. When something happens once, it can make you afraid the same thing will be true this time.

A question for the team/athlete:

What is something you’ve experienced that you’re worried will happen again?

(Allow a few responses from the team/athlete, then read the follow-up message.)

Follow-up:

The reality is, it might happen again. But peace doesn’t come from avoiding pain or getting what you want. Ask God for what you want, then trust that whether or not you get it, God will take care of you. He loves you, and he knows your future. This is why you can have his incredible peace!