God's Coaching #42

God's Coaching #42

The idea seemed ridiculous. A bobsled team from Jamaica? It’s a tropical island! People laughed. No snow ever fell on the small Caribbean nation. But that didn’t stop Jamaica from sending a bobsled team to the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada.

The team started training in Jamaica and began practicing on ice tracks a few months before the Olympics. They were strong athletes, and their fast starts were impressive. By the time they reached Calgary, the Jamaicans were steadily improving. They were a crowd favorite because they were the ultimate underdogs and had such positive attitudes. The Olympics ended for the Jamaican four-man sled team when they crashed—going 75 miles per hour. All of the men were okay, and they eventually got up and walked the rest of the track to the finish line.

The Jamaicans were serious about wanting to win. They returned to the Olympics in 1992 but didn’t do well. Then in the 1994 Games, Jamaica finished a respectable 14th—ahead of teams from the United States, Russia, and France. The Jamaicans may not have won any medals, but they won over the world.

What’s the Score?

How do you handle criticism? What’s your response when people laugh at you? It’s natural to want to run away, retaliate, and throw insults back, but 1 Peter 3:9 tells us not to. Instead, God wants us to “pay them back with a blessing.” That’s exactly what the Jamaican bobsled team ended up doing. Their positive attitudes and hard work brought joy to sports fans and won over their critics.

It is hard not to “retaliate with insults when people insult you.” But God has promised that he will bless you for it. Ask him for his strength to bless back with kind words or respectful actions. And stay focused on your goal . . . no matter what critics may say.

On the Ball

Write down an insult or criticism you feel like giving someone who has put you down. Then turn the paper over and write words or actions that can bless that person instead.

Coach’s Comment

Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. 1 Peter 3:9