1. Training Camp
• Training Camp is about preparation, the part of the season that is truly tough.
• Physical, mental, and hopefully spiritual training
• It takes time, dedication and some pain to insure that everything will be right for the season.
• We train our minds and bodies very hard for something that will come to an end one day. But what about our souls that will last forever?
• We should have training camp for the soul
o Renewing of the heart, mind and spirit daily through prayer, Bible studies, and fellowship with other believers
2. Stress in Sports
• How many of you have had a coach that has said something like this:
o “Men, lets keep an even keel – not to high when things are going good and not to low when things are going bad” …… I sure did
• I sure wish I would have really listened to that advice when I was playing, the game would have been more fun
• Let’s face it; we all chose a sport that is all about dealing with failures and adversity. The Word of God will make us tough and prepare us for anything.
• In baseball, if were a good hitter were going to fail 70% of the time, and it certainly doesn’t get any easier.
• There is a real good chance we will face injury, demotions and releases along the way
• These kinds of failures and adversity will surely create stress for us and God has a plan for dealing with whatever life throws our way
3. The Four Step Strategy for dealing with failures and adversity
I. Step One: Worry About Nothing. Matthew 6:34
- WORRY: “Assuming responsibility that God never intended for me to have.”
- Worry is a sin and is useless
A study on worry returned these results:
40% - never happen (things that will never happen)
30% - concern the past
20% - needless about health
10% - insignificant/petty issues
8% - legitimate concerns
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own. Matthew 6:34”
Insight: Live one day at a time, today God has you playing sports– make the best of it, this is your mission field and God wants you to seek Him first in everything you do (including playing or coaching a sport)
II. Step Two: PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING!
- Be specific in your prayers (I Peter 5:7, James 4:2, and John 16:23-24
- Unload all your worries on God - I Peter 5:7
Insight: There is no problem too big for HIS power or too small for HIS concern.
III. Step Three: WE THANK GOD FOR ALL THINGS.
- Thanksgiving is a commanded response from God.
- Develop an attitude of gratitude
Insight: There is always something you can be thankful for
IV. Step Four: THINK ABOUT THE RIGHT THINGS. Proverbs 23:7
- The root cause of stress: The way I choose to think.
Insight: Whatever I think about is what I am becoming
The Result: “If you do this you will experience God’s peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your heart quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.”
