Just as the athlete who adheres to the rules without complaint glorifies the game, the faithful who abide by the commandments glorify the Creator. We don t follow Jesus out of the expectation that things will always go our way, that our lives will be successful and trouble-free. If the Lord grants us material blessings, healing, or peace, it is out of His mercy and grace. To be a winner, you need to run with full conviction in the prize ahead. Every step must be a firmly placed move closer to the finish line.
Athletes have to withstand a lot of pain and drain in order to win.
We ve seen some who compete even while injured. Their will to win compels them on to surpass their physical limitations. Sometimes it s painful, but we need to press on, overlooking the momentary burn, toward the lasting gains. Discipline also means constant watchfulness, for even when we feel strong, we need to be careful. Studies have shown that athletes are more susceptible to viral infections right after competition because their immune systems are weakened after the strain.