Game Day
Jenna was on the soccer team at her school; she was nine and smaller than her teammates.
Their first game of the season was in a few days; Jenna was excited. She practiced with her dad every evening after dinner. Her dad played soccer in college, but had to stop after he injured his ankle during a game. He walked with a limp, but could still kick the soccer ball further than anyone she knew.
The morning of the big game, Jenna woke up early and practiced outside in her pajamas; she was confident in herself and her team that they would win their first game. When they arrived at the soccer field, Jenna joined her teammates on the field. Lisa, the goalie looked down at Jenna. She explained how she heard the other team was bigger and they even had a sixth grade girl on the team. Jenna allowed fear to take over and she started to feel nervous. After all, she was the smallest girl on her team, how was she going to play against other girls who were not only bigger, but also older than she was!
She ran off the field to the sideline, where her dad was standing. She asked him if they could leave. She told him that she was not feeling well, she could not play in the game.
Her dad kneeled down and placed his hands on her shoulders. He asked her if she was depending on herself to win the game. He said if she would pray and ask God for his strength during the game; win or lose, God would give her the strength and courage she needed to play her best. He then shared with her two Bible verses his dad shared with him before a big game. His dad told him he needed to humble his heart and trust God for the strength to play the game and even win.
Proverbs 24:10
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
Nehemiah 8:10
For the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Jenna bowed down on the sideline; she prayed and asked God for strength and safety for herself and all the players on the field. When she finished she gave her dad a big hug, and ran onto the field to join her teammates for a quick practice.
It turned out the other team was bigger, but did not play nearly as hard as Jenna's team.
The sixth grade girl was more interested in chatting with her friends. She spent most of the game on the sidelines instead of actually playing in the game.
Jenna's team won the game 14 to 2. After the game, her dad took her to get ice cream to celebrate. That day Jenna learned, instead of depending on herself and her own abilities she should trust God to give her the strength to handle any situation.
The Moral of the story…Unleashed: “Game Day”
Proverbs 24:10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. If you depend on yourself for strength, you may find out your strength is not enough to endure trials. Nehemiah 8:10 for the joy of the LORD is your strength. If you stop trusting in yourself, and put all your trust in the Lord, he will give you the strength to handle any situation. You will find joy when you depend on God and not on yourself.
Their first game of the season was in a few days; Jenna was excited. She practiced with her dad every evening after dinner. Her dad played soccer in college, but had to stop after he injured his ankle during a game. He walked with a limp, but could still kick the soccer ball further than anyone she knew.
The morning of the big game, Jenna woke up early and practiced outside in her pajamas; she was confident in herself and her team that they would win their first game. When they arrived at the soccer field, Jenna joined her teammates on the field. Lisa, the goalie looked down at Jenna. She explained how she heard the other team was bigger and they even had a sixth grade girl on the team. Jenna allowed fear to take over and she started to feel nervous. After all, she was the smallest girl on her team, how was she going to play against other girls who were not only bigger, but also older than she was!
She ran off the field to the sideline, where her dad was standing. She asked him if they could leave. She told him that she was not feeling well, she could not play in the game.
Her dad kneeled down and placed his hands on her shoulders. He asked her if she was depending on herself to win the game. He said if she would pray and ask God for his strength during the game; win or lose, God would give her the strength and courage she needed to play her best. He then shared with her two Bible verses his dad shared with him before a big game. His dad told him he needed to humble his heart and trust God for the strength to play the game and even win.
Proverbs 24:10
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
Nehemiah 8:10
For the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Jenna bowed down on the sideline; she prayed and asked God for strength and safety for herself and all the players on the field. When she finished she gave her dad a big hug, and ran onto the field to join her teammates for a quick practice.
It turned out the other team was bigger, but did not play nearly as hard as Jenna's team.
The sixth grade girl was more interested in chatting with her friends. She spent most of the game on the sidelines instead of actually playing in the game.
Jenna's team won the game 14 to 2. After the game, her dad took her to get ice cream to celebrate. That day Jenna learned, instead of depending on herself and her own abilities she should trust God to give her the strength to handle any situation.
The Moral of the story…Unleashed: “Game Day”
Proverbs 24:10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. If you depend on yourself for strength, you may find out your strength is not enough to endure trials. Nehemiah 8:10 for the joy of the LORD is your strength. If you stop trusting in yourself, and put all your trust in the Lord, he will give you the strength to handle any situation. You will find joy when you depend on God and not on yourself.