If I’m honest, there are times when being a footballer is hard. There have been a lot of mornings when I’ve woken up frustrated, sometimes even angry. Football has a way of exposing and provoking you like that. You can do everything right, prepare well, work hard, and it can still feel like things aren’t going your way.
On those days, I have to make a decision: am I going to sit in the frustration, or am I going to put my boots on, both physically and spiritually, step into the day, and overcome the difficulties that the moment offers?
For me, prevailing has looked less like winning in big moments and more like succeeding in quiet steps of obedience. Sometimes, we’ve just got to keep going. I have to love my wife well, keep up with my daily disciplines and devotions, and handle the challenges in front of me. I have to focus on doing the next right thing, and keep reminding myself that if I’m doing this for the Lord, then my best is enough.
Knowing I’m working for God takes the pressure off. I don’t have to live on the rollercoaster of performance. Unlike the critics, God’s opinion of me doesn’t swing with my best day or my worst day. He’s steady. He’s consistent. He doesn’t change. Even if it may feel like I’m losing on the pitch, I can trust that His purpose is always winning.
There have been moments of self-doubt, moments where I’ve wondered if I’ll ever get to where I want to be. But I’ve learned to confront that doubt with God’s promises. I’ve learned to look back before I look forward, remembering His faithfulness and what He’s already brought me through. I reflect not to live in the past, but to anchor myself in the truth that He’s always been good, and He’s not about to stop now.
Some of the hardest seasons in my life have been the most formative. It’s one thing to say you trust God when life is good. It’s another to keep loving Him, keep worshiping, keep showing up when it’s tough. That’s where faith gets real. That’s where we get to develop the kind of faith that prevails.
And what I’ve found on the other side isn’t what I thought I was chasing–worldly success, popularity, or trophies–it’s better. It’s contentment. A steady confidence. Knowing my life is about more than performance. I don’t need to find the approval of a coach or a colleague when I know I’m already seen, known, and loved by God.
So I just keep steady. I stay consistent. I continue to trust God, because here’s the truth: God always prevails. He doesn’t lose. He’s faithful to every promise.
And when you’re anchored to someone that steady, you can keep going too.
Challenge
How can you focus on doing ‘the next right thing’?
What daily spiritual disciplines can you commit to to keep you grounded and anchored?