Faithful Focus

Before Competition

Think of a time you experienced the rising feelings of anxiety before a competition. Do you find that worries cycle over and over, like a spinning wheel in your mind? You may feel it in your chest or your stomach. You may have a barrage of thoughts — both good and bad that consume your energy.

Anxiety creeps in and can be debilitating. In the days before your big race, match, or game, how do you handle those feelings?

Hurdler Cindy Sember is familiar with those fears. She had a successful collegiate career in track and field. She won the Big Ten Championship in the 100-meter hurdles. She also set Michigan indoor records in the 60 meters and 200 meters. After graduation, excitement grew as she started her professional career. But then…

“I remember it as if it were yesterday. A few months into my new season of life, I experienced one of the hardest injuries an athlete will ever experience; an achilles rupture.”

Doctors told her that she would not come back, but Cindy was on a mission. She would prove them wrong. She said, “I spent hours daily asking the Lord to guide me back to health and for me to return stronger.”

After a year and a half of hard work and dedication, she returned to competition. As the first event approached, she recalled, “a lot of fear and worry began to creep in beforehand.”

Have you experienced creeping fear and worry before a competition? The closer you get to the start of the competition, nerves and negative thoughts start to creep in. You begin to doubt all the hard work you have been putting in.

Questions start to pop in your head such as:

• “What if I’m not ready?”
• “What if I fall and hurt myself?”
• “Am I really in shape?”
• “What if I let down those who are supporting me?”

If you have experienced these thoughts, you are not alone! Most athletes deal with questions like these right before competing. Cindy deals with this by replacing the negative thoughts with confidence building statements from God’s Word.

Here are some verses and Bible truths that help Cindy combat negative thoughts:

Combat the lie of "letting people down" with an attitude of "doing everything for the Lord, not people." (Colossians 3:23).

Replace the doubt of "lack of preparation" with "God made me for this." (Esther 4:14)

Replace the "fear of failure" with the "God given power, love, and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

Replace the “fear of failure” with “I am free of fear” (Psalm 34.4)

The doubt of "being in shape" or "lack of confidence" with reliance on the promise of God's strength.” (Philippians 4:13).

A change of focus instills confidence. We do this by shifting our focus from ourselves and others to God and what He can do. It will also calm our nerves and allow us to feel calmer ahead of competition. Which in turn will also glorify God.

Action Points:

• Write a verse(s) on a card and keep it in your shoes to read before you lace up for the competition.
• Meditate on one verse as you breathe slowly and wait for the start.
• Be thankful for your ability to even compete!

Prayer:

“Jesus, thank you for my ability to train and compete. I give to you all my anxious thoughts and ask that you would remind me of what your Word says is true about me. Give me power to do my best, love towards my opponent, and a sound mind as I prepare to compete. Help me to remember I compete for You and not for coaches, people, or awards. Help me to glorify you in all I do, say, and think.”