Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the French Open in 2021 reminded us of the extreme pressures serious athletes face in competition. She indicated her mental anguish was too much, and we were shocked that she would forgo her great opportunity to become a champion.
Then Simone Biles, who had captured the hearts of Americans in the 2016 Olympics, decided to drop out of the 2021 Olympics due to mental pressures. She was expected to do nothing less than bring home gold medals. Talk about pressure!
The Buildup to Be Perfect
Caeleb Dressel, who won 5 gold medals in the swimming competitions and set one record in the 100- meter butterfly competition, told USA Today about the mental pressures of the Olympics, “It does mean something different, an event that happens every four years, for a race that happens 40-something seconds or 20-something seconds, you have to be so perfect in that moment. Especially you add an extra year; it’s a five-year buildup to be perfect.”
“There’s so much pressure in one moment. Your whole life boils down to a moment that can take 20, 40 seconds. How crazy is that? For an event that happens every four years. I wouldn’t tell myself this during the meet; but after the meet, looking back, I mean, it’s terrifying.”
Most of us cannot imagine the intensity of these pressures. Whether athletes come home with or without a medal, the entire world will know of their success or failure. That’s pressure! How crazy is that?
But no matter what we do in our brief stay on this earth, we, too, can be overwhelmed by the pressures and stresses that come with life.
The Believer’s Prize
As believers, 100% of our time is spent preparing for the big event that comes when we stand before our Lord. There will be no gold, silver, or bronze medals awarded. Instead, we hope to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21)
Soon many will forget Dressel’s name, his Gold Medals, and the record he set in the 2021 Olympics. If the Lord should tarry His return, others will come after Dressel who will break his record.
During his preparation for ministry, Paul said, “Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:25-27)
A Comforter for the Contest
When we compare preparation for the Olympics to our preparation for the Race of Life, it can be a little scary. Fortunately for us, our race is not run with speed, but patience. It is not won by the swift, but by those who hold out and endure to the end. (Hebrews 12:1b)
The thought of undertaking such a competition on our own can be downright frightening. The good news is, Jesus promised to give us a Comforter in this contest. (John 14:16) This Comforter will come alongside us during the race and help us when we fall short or reach stressful points that would tempt us to quit. He will give us the strength necessary to make it to the end of the race. It is with this encouragement Paul could say, “I press on towards the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
Brother and Sister Olympians, if you are feeling stressed out in your journey, if the race seems too hard for you to run, be encouraged. You are not on just any team — “. . . We are laborers together with God.” (1 Corinthians 3:9)
Article by Dr. L.W. Edwards
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