Theme: Injury Time

Verse: But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Injuries are part of all sports. If you participate long enough, you will personally experience one somewhere along the line. Personally, I’ve dealt with a broken femur in high school, a ruptured Achilles tendon in my 30s, and most recently, two knee replacement surgeries.

When those inevitable injuries occur, it is very easy to play the “What-If” game.

- What-If I don’t recover fast enough?

- What-If I’m not the same athlete I was before the injury?

- What-If I’m more prone to injury?

- What-If I lose my position on the team?

- What-If I can never play the sport again?

You can combat the “What-If” game by knowing God has a plan for you in your injury time. Trust that He has your best interest in mind and that He will use your story to be a Kingdom moment to reach someone you never imagined through your recovery story.

Meanwhile on a personal level, while physical therapy is obviously a key component to the recovery, injury time is an opportunity for you to dig deeper into God’s Word and strengthen your faith. If you surround yourself with positive people (and I have had many of them surround me in my injury time over the years), you will find that is a vital part of the healing process as well.

So, when an injury befalls you, don’t become a recluse and a “Woe is me, Wally”. Trust that the injury is simply a part of God’ plan for your life. Embrace the challenge and know that He is preparing you for an AMAZING comeback!

Have a GREAT (and hopefully injury free) week!

Adapted from Lead with Faith, Play with Purpose by Andy Dooley