Daily Devotional: Friday, September 20 – Handle Hard Better

“Thou due to this fact endure hardness, as a great soldier of Jesus Christ.” — 2 Timothy 2:3 (KJV)

>> Sign up here for Sports Spectrum devotionals sent right to your email inbox <<

I used to be listening to a commentator speaking not too long ago about how athletes take care of adversity. He spoke of how the good ones at all times discover a strategy to adapt their sport to no matter challenges could occur alongside the way in which — schedule modifications, accidents, climate circumstances, teammates/coaches getting sick, journey delays, issues with the opponent. Regardless of the scenario could also be, they discover a strategy to pivot mentally, bodily and emotionally, and overcome. After which the commentator mentioned one thing that’s caught with me as a result of it’s such a good looking reality, not just for sports activities but in addition for all times. He mentioned, “Nothing will get simpler in life. You simply have to discover ways to deal with the onerous higher.”

Typically, I feel we now have this phantasm that, as we develop and be taught and expertise issues, life will one way or the other get less complicated, simpler, extra environment friendly. That it’s only a matter of figuring issues out after which it would all begin to get smoother. However, as each life and sports activities educate us, this isn’t actuality. There proceed to be difficulties and distractions, and no person is immune from them. Simply because we’ve lived a bit and realized some issues doesn’t exempt us from hardships of any type, and those who find yourself getting stronger from it are those who “deal with the onerous higher.” Those who refuse to crumble or give into no matter is happening. They put the precept of two Timothy 2:3 into follow and “endure hardness, as a great soldier of Jesus Christ.”

Neuroscience proves that our human mind spends a lot of its time anticipating and attempting to determine the longer term based mostly on its earlier data of the previous, doing what it could to mission how issues are going to go and, accordingly, figuring out our actions for proper now. However even with the power to plan and dream and anticipate sure issues, our finite minds are unable to foretell every part on a regular basis. There will likely be trials and sudden surprises alongside the way in which that pressure us to both adapt or break. We are able to select to maneuver with the issue and make the mandatory changes, or we will let it destroy us, our confidence, our religion, our hope.

Jesus didn’t make every part fully clear to us. He left some stuff to thriller, however one factor He did say fairly plainly got here in John 16:33: “On this world you should have hassle.” Life goes to be onerous. There will likely be issues that occur that break your coronary heart and depart you wounded. There will likely be temptations and distractions and complex circumstances that depart you asking questions and attempting to resolve the issue. The journey of life isn’t going to be straightforward by any means, so we’d as nicely simply drop that fantasy proper now and settle for that reality.

But, what was the promise Jesus left us within the midst of that assertion? “I’ve instructed you this stuff, in order that in me you’ll have peace. … Take coronary heart! I’ve overcome the world.” Have religion. Be courageous. Reside with braveness. As a result of your God continues to be in management, and you’ll survive this. You may “be taught to deal with the onerous higher” and take your house among the many “good troopers” of Christ who know the satisfaction of overcoming “by the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 12:11).

— Katherine Singer

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him <<

>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more devotionals and stories where sports and faith connect <<

>> Purchase “The Increase 52 Week Devotional” to further grow your relationship with Christ <<

>> Dive more into God’s Word with Sports Spectrum through the YouVersion Bible App <<

If you want to submit a devotional, please e-mail all submissions to

devotionals@sportsspectrum.com