How to Find Balance as an Athlete

As athletes, our schedules are filled to the brim. The day kicks off with the alarm blaring in our ear to remind us of morning weightlifting. We hurry out the door with our lunches in tow and double check that our homework is completed.

Each day is often filled with the busyness of repetition as both a student and an athlete. Many items pile up: exams, relationships, friendships, study hall, practice, competition… the list hardly ever ends.

To ensure success and continued motivation, we must live in balance. Everything needs to be structured in equal distribution to prevent burnout, injuries and exhaustion.

It is vital to keep Jesus at the center of our chaotic, athletic schedules as He is the source of our continuous renewing every day.

“But those who hope in the Lord

Will renew their strength;

they will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary

they will walk and not grow faint.” –Isaiah 40:31

How do we find this balance we crave?
 

Prioritize Time with Jesus

“You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of his household, build on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.” –Ephesians 2:19-21, NIV

A cornerstone is a paramount piece to the entire structure of a building. It is the first brick that gets laid down, and every other piece gets stacked according to its position. The cornerstone determines the outcome, shape, foundation and design of the whole architectural plan.

Paul writes in Ephesians with emphasis that Jesus Himself is the cornerstone of our lives. We spend most time with those of highest value to us. Despite our busy schedules, it is foundational and biblical to prioritize time with Jesus. Rising a few minutes early to spend time in prayer and in God’s Word is doable. If we show up a few minutes early to practice, there is time to open a Bible and read a verse or to pray with a teammate before competition in the locker room.

When we keep Jesus as our highest priority, we will naturally keep our schedules in check by arranging them around our cornerstone. If we miss out on our time with Jesus, who is the cornerstone of our lives, then our schedules will start to slip out of place, resulting in a collapse. 

Seek God's Word Daily

A characteristic of a great athlete is the art of discipline. As a follower of Christ, we must know God’s Word as truth. To grow in a relationship with another person, you must spend time and effort getting to know them. Seeking God’s Word is the way of intimate and personal relationship with our heavenly Father.

By seeking God’s Word daily, we are preparing and disciplining ourselves with the truth of God and nourishing our souls to withstand busy days.

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’” declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’” –Jeremiah 29:11

God holds our plans and future. As we live out busy lives, it is important that we are keeping in step with God. By staying in His Word, we are tuning in to God’s plans and purposes for us. In doing so, we will find strength through His Word to compete in all our God-given potential.

Practice Sabbath

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His.” -Hebrews 4:9-10

Sabbath is a holy day of rest and worship given to us by the Lord. The Lord rested on the seventh day after creating the heavens and Earth. (Genesis 2) It is so easy to let our schedules rule over us, but by partaking in Sabbath, we enter into God’s design of true rest that is biblical and best for us so we can be refreshed and ready to go through our days, saturated in God’s love.

In keeping our schedules balanced, it is important to find time to rest and replenish. We work hard, but when we build our lives on God’s truth and character, we are declaring our trust and faith in who He is and how He moves through our days. What a gift it is to rest in Him!

LIVE IT OUT

Theme Verse: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

Quarter Verse: “… and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” –Ephesians 3:19

Question: How can you prioritize time with Jesus? What could that look like in your daily life?

Challenge: Set alarms throughout the day to remind to you to check in with Jesus. How has your day been? Is there anything you want to take to Him? Allow Him time to respond.

CTA: Contrary to what society tells you, you don’t have to do it all. We really weren’t made to do it all. We have limitations that let us lean on the Lord for His strength and direction, and that gives us incredible freedom. Start the FCA 24/7 YouVersion plan and do other plans together with your community.

*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR that explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.