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WEAK VS STRONG
LOCATION:
Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
HEADLINE:
"Its the struggle to overcome that helps you to recognize that true strength is built during the hardest times." Leah O'Brien-Amico
3-Time Woman's Softball Olympic Gold Medalist
GAME SUMMARY:
The words weak and strong are seen as total opposites, but the Bible says they actually work together. A Christian needs to be weak in order to be strong.
Joshua 1:9 says "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Right before this verse, God tells Joshua that he will be the one who leads the Israelites into the land that God had promised to their forefathers. God also told Joshua that to be successful he needed to obey God's law and to meditate upon it day and night. God told Joshua he would lead them into the promise land, but it was clear it wasn't going to be an easy road. If it was, he wouldn't need the strength and courage that God commanded him about many times.
As Christians, we know that Jesus Christ has won the victory over death & through his resurrection made a way to heaven for all who surrender to Him as the Lord of their lives. Even though we know we are promised heaven, we still have to go through trials in life. As Christian athletes, we need to be strong and courageous as well.
There will be times when our opponent is better than us and times we make mistakes or go through slumps. One of the biggest trials I went through while competing for the USA Softball team was in the summer prior to trying out for the Olympic team. I was struggling in my hitting and I knew this could affect my chance to be named to the Olympic team. I was frustrated and upset. As I stood in the outfield during our games, I meditated upon Joshua 1:9 and prayed often. I told God I knew He was with me and had a plan even in my struggling. I chose to battle with all I had on the field and find strength in God's Word and leave the results up to God. Eventually I started hitting better and later that year I was named to the Olympic team.
The following year I stood on the podium in Sydney, Australia and received the gold medal with my teammates. I couldn't help but reflect on what I went through a year earlier. It's the trials that make the victory so much more special. It's the struggle to overcome that helps you recognize that true strength is built during the hardest times. I am thankful God reminds me His power is made perfect in our weakness and His grace is sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:9). God is with us wherever we go and is near whenever we call out to Him. Be strong and courageous on and off the field. God chose Joshua to lead His people into the promised land. God's Word also encourages us to lead others by meditating upon the Bible, obeying His Word, and sharing His love and truth with others.
Joshua 1:9 says "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Right before this verse, God tells Joshua that he will be the one who leads the Israelites into the land that God had promised to their forefathers. God also told Joshua that to be successful he needed to obey God's law and to meditate upon it day and night. God told Joshua he would lead them into the promise land, but it was clear it wasn't going to be an easy road. If it was, he wouldn't need the strength and courage that God commanded him about many times.
As Christians, we know that Jesus Christ has won the victory over death & through his resurrection made a way to heaven for all who surrender to Him as the Lord of their lives. Even though we know we are promised heaven, we still have to go through trials in life. As Christian athletes, we need to be strong and courageous as well.
There will be times when our opponent is better than us and times we make mistakes or go through slumps. One of the biggest trials I went through while competing for the USA Softball team was in the summer prior to trying out for the Olympic team. I was struggling in my hitting and I knew this could affect my chance to be named to the Olympic team. I was frustrated and upset. As I stood in the outfield during our games, I meditated upon Joshua 1:9 and prayed often. I told God I knew He was with me and had a plan even in my struggling. I chose to battle with all I had on the field and find strength in God's Word and leave the results up to God. Eventually I started hitting better and later that year I was named to the Olympic team.
The following year I stood on the podium in Sydney, Australia and received the gold medal with my teammates. I couldn't help but reflect on what I went through a year earlier. It's the trials that make the victory so much more special. It's the struggle to overcome that helps you recognize that true strength is built during the hardest times. I am thankful God reminds me His power is made perfect in our weakness and His grace is sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:9). God is with us wherever we go and is near whenever we call out to Him. Be strong and courageous on and off the field. God chose Joshua to lead His people into the promised land. God's Word also encourages us to lead others by meditating upon the Bible, obeying His Word, and sharing His love and truth with others.
MVP:
Leah O'Brien,
Christian athlete and speaker
RECAP:
1. When you are struggling in a sport, school activity, etc., what verse helps you? Make a note of the verse, memorize it and recite it to yourself often.
2. Have you ever had a time where you experienced God's power in your weakness? When did you notice it?
3. Do you turn to God during your struggles and do you praise Him during your successes? Why or why not?
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