New York Yankees outfielder Roger Maris suffered a serious illness while breaking Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record in 1961. During the final weeks of the season, as he got closer to the record, his hair started falling out in small clumps. The doctor reassured him that the hair loss was due to the stress wearing him down. 

Maris’s anxiety stemmed from fans who didn’t want him to break Ruth’s record. Yankee fans cheered for his teammate Mickey Mantle to surpass the record before Maris fell behind due to an injury. He also felt uncomfortable with the media attention.  

Philippians 4 – Anxiety Medicine

Anxiety, pressure, and fear of failure are common experiences for all athletes and coaches. Sports often foster a culture obsessed with awards and accolades, making it nearly impossible to feel truly content. Paul understood feelings of anxiety and offered guidance to the Philippians on how to handle it in chapter 4. He provides the most helpful passage on contentment in all of Scripture. This contentment embodies joyful living in a stressful world; Paul urges us not to worry (Philippians 4:6). Do not be anxious about “anything.” Your sport is included in “anything.” Here are three practical steps to overcome anxiety and restore peace in your heart (4:6-7).

First, rejoice by developing a good sense of humor and not taking yourself too seriously. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine.” Second, relax by not allowing every stressful situation to disturb your peace with God. Finally, rest your mind so you’re not constantly in a state of anxiety. When you rejoice, relax, and rest, you will begin to experience God’s peace.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete rejoice, relax, and rest in the Lord rather than in their circumstances. Joy is a constant way of life for them; it is the fruit and evidence of a relationship with God. They understand what the Lord has done in the past, what He is doing now, and what He will do in the future.

Bible Memory Verse – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (LSB)

Click HERE for the Kingdom Sports Minute: Imitation of Faith

Our featured book this week is Ecclesiastes – The Forward-Looking Athlete. (A  10-Week Bible Study For Athletes Who Want To Compete With The End In Mind), written by Joshua Thiessen.

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