God's Coaching #22

God's Coaching #22

You wouldn’t think an 11-time Winter X Games medalist would be nervous before a competition. But Tanner Hall admitted to reporters that he was a little nervous heading into the 2009 men’s SuperPipe Finals in Aspen, Colorado.

Tanner, who had won a gold medal in the three previous years, knew that year’s event would be a little different because the pipe was bigger. At the 2009 Winter X Games, the SuperPipe was 540 feet long, 22 feet deep, and 75 feet across, with a pitch of 18 degrees. In other words, it was longer, steeper, and more dangerous than the pipe had been in other competitions.

With the athletes going faster and higher, France’s Xavier Bertoni shocked everybody by winning the gold with a score of 93.66. Tanner settled for silver with 92 points. Xavier’s final run clinched the gold as he nailed an alley-oop flat spin 360, a switch 720, and a 1260 in which he spun around three-and-a-half times!

What’s the Score?

Whether it was nerves or just the fact that another skier turned in an amazing performance, Tanner didn’t end up winning a gold medal. He tried his hardest, but maybe his worries kept him from doing his best.

You’ve probably felt nervous before a big game or performance. It’s natural to get butterflies in your stomach every once in a while. But the Bible encourages Christians not to worry. Philippians 4:6 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

When we worry, we tend to focus on our problems and not on God’s power. But through God’s power, we can overcome anything. It’s okay to tell God what we need. Sometimes we need confidence. Sometimes it’s strength or concentration. Whenever you start to worry, remember to turn to God and ask him to help calm your nerves.

On the Ball

The next time you start to feel nervous, remember to pray to God and ask him to help you through the situation. And while you’re praying, praise God for all he’s done for you in the past.

Coach’s Comment

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6