God's Coaching #144

God's Coaching #144

In surfing there are waves and there are BIG waves. Big waves are taller than your house. They can be taller than five-story buildings, reaching 50 or 60 feet or more! But that doesn’t stop big-wave riders from surfing them. For them, the bigger the wave, the bigger the adrenaline rush.

Most big-wave riders are men. But Maya Gabeira is a Brazilian woman who lives for supersized surf. In 2009, she caught the biggest ride of her life when she rode a 45-foot wave off the coast of South Africa. It proved to be the largest wave ever surfed by a woman. Later that year, Maya earned her third straight women’s Billabong XXL award, which is given for the biggest ride of the year.

Maya’s surfing performance was even more impressive when you realize that she had been surfing only five years. She tried riding the waves when she was 14, but she couldn’t learn even after a month of lessons. At 17, she finally picked up the sport and has been breaking records ever since.

What’s the Score?

Maya’s courage in the face of giant waves was amazing. The Bible tells us to be courageous too: “Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD!” (Psalm 31:24). When we put our hope in the Lord, we tap into a power source that’s way stronger than the ocean.

You may never surf 40-foot waves, but you will face plenty of intimidating situations in life. No matter what gets your knees knocking, you have the greatest source of courage possible: God. He is far stronger than your toughest challenges, and he can do more than all your ability, determination, or bravery—combined! Turn to him when you’re nervous about a school test, an important competition, or standing up to pressure from your friends. When your hope is in God, you have nothing to fear.

On the Ball

Write down the things you’re afraid of. Stick the list inside your Bible by Psalm 31. Notice how small your list is compared to God and his Word.

Coach’s Comment

Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD! Psalm 31:24