Jason Richardson wrestled with the question when asked what he got from the Olympic Trials, like Jacob wrestling with an angel of God having his hip broken just to be blessed. Here’s His response.

“Coming into the track meet, I hadn’t had the best season. It looked like an uphill battle to make the Olympic team, but I knew my God could turn the situation around. I prayed fervently about the race’s outcome, asking God to help me make my second Olympic team but to help me win the race outright. I trained as hard as I could; I fasted; I prayed. I did everything in my power to control the outcome of the hurdle race. The problem was that I kept asking God for what I wanted, but I never paused to ask what He wanted of ME.

I got fifth place in the finals, two spots away from an Olympic berth. Had I not worked hard enough? Had I not prayed hard enough? Was I not faithful enough? While in private prayer time, I recalled a Scripture that best summed up the purpose of my Olympic Trials experience. 1 Peter 1:7 states, “These trials will show your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So, when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise, glory, and honor on the day Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (NLT).

Three simple words: Trials build faith. They can be family, personal, career, or even Olympic trials, but they are all presented to build Christ-like character and deepen our relationships with Him. Our responses and attitudes toward trials are far more important to God than one race, one job promotion, or one simple victory. The final goal is to have God say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Trials shape us into good servants, and that’s truly what He wants of us all.”

1 Peter 4 – Victory Over Sin and Death

While Christ is our ultimate example, Jason Richardson became a person of resolve when he obeyed God’s will through turbulent times (4:1-3). Peter emphasizes sharing in Christ’s suffering and resting in the promises to come through the victory over sin and death on the cross in Chapter 4. Jesus was vindicated in death.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete know Jesus rose triumphant in the spirit and now reigns eternally as the Son at God’s right hand.