“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods which have not benefited those devoted to them.” – Hebrews 13:8-9 (ESV)
Confidence is huge in the athletic world. Without it, we seem weak and insecure; with too much of it, we appear to be over-confident and arrogant. The only way to find the perfect balance of confidence and humility is through God.
If your confidence is found in how you play and practice, you will be unable to maintain your self-assurance. When you have a good day on the court and are fed compliments by your teammates and coaches, your confidence will soar. When you have a rough day, your confidence will take a hit. Finding solid middle ground will be a challenge because we, as humans, are imperfect. Even good days will leave you thirsting for more. More compliments, more big points or goals. You will become insecure because no matter how much you get, you will always want more.
However, if you find your confidence in Christ, the One who gave you all your talents and abilities, you will be amazed at the change of your heart. Instead of constantly finding yourself thirsty or worn-out, you will be able to discover a perfect balance. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” He doesn’t change; He is stable. We change and we shift. If we are able to rely on Jesus for our confidence, we will stop looking for reassurance from others in our game and will begin to look to Him and be assured in His love for us, despite whatever’s going on.
What is your source of confidence? Is it in your ever-changing performance? Or is it in the God who promises to never leave you? There will be great moments on the court, field, and pitch. However, there will also always be mishaps and mistakes. The only way to retain an unwavering confidence in those moments is by relying on God.
submitted by Anica Haberstock, grade 11 student
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