Wear this helmet today!

Handball was my life at the age of 12!

I was amazed when I read on one page of my old diary: "Mom forbade me to go to the game if I don't clean up my room. But we're playing against Nadine! I HAVE to be there!"

Nadine was my biggest and strongest opponent! That's why I didn't want to miss this game!

Because I knew who I was. Because I knew my coach believed in me. Because I had experienced victories and defeats enough times, and I was ready to face it!

I didn't even entertain the thought of "You can't do it, she's better than you." Instead, I remembered what my coach said: "Déborah, maybe we lost to her last time, but the next opportunity can be different."

In the Bible, it says: "The assurance of your salvation through Jesus Christ is your helmet, protecting you." (Ephesians 6:17 NIV)

What is assurance? It's something that is unquestionably true or behaves unquestionably in a certain way; an indisputable fact. And do you know why you often feel weak and give up before even trying?

Because you still doubt whether God's Word—your Coach's word—really applies personally to you. You know who is sure of that, on the other hand? The devil. He has no doubt about it. That's why he's so active and tries to manipulate your thoughts.

But he has no chance when you put on the helmet of assurance and say out loud:

• I know I am forgiven (see Psalm 103:12 NIV).
• I know God no longer accuses me (see Romans 8:1 NIV).
• I know that all things are possible for me (see Philippians 4:13 NIV).

So, you should never take off this helmet again! Never! Then you will be courageous enough to face your greatest opponent with confidence when he challenges you next time.

"But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world." (1 John 4:4 NIV)

The next opportunity is your next chance!

You are a miracle!

Déborah