Sometimes athletes “choke” and sometimes athletes “panic”.

As famous author Malcolm Gladwell defines “choking”, it is when an athlete who is highly trained and experienced cares SO MUCH about the situation that they are overly careful.  Their carefulness makes this highly trained athlete move like a rookie or amateur.  So by caring too much…you can “choke”.

Panicking is the opposite.  Panicking means that you do not have enough training.  Contrary to public opinion, we do not rise to the occasion.  When a tough situation arises, we default to our level of training.  An untrained or poorly trained person “panics” and reverts to running, fighting or freezing.

This is why we need the WORD of God. 

The Bible says, “Be careful for nothing”.  (see below)  When we trust in the Lord, we won’t care so much about our short term results.  When we fully comprehend that God is in control, we will try but we will not be desperate.  We will understand that He has remade us perfect and complete and we are not defined by man’s trophies. 

John Wooden, the most successful college coach of all time once gave his definition of success, “Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best you are capable of becoming.”  Coach Wooden was just as proud of his non-championship teams as his championship teams.  He didn’t judge them based upon trophies but on preparation, determination and character.  It’s much easier to have this attitude when you trust in God.

When we trust in God, we will not “CHOKE”.

The Word of God also says that, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (see below)  Paul also counseled Timothy, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God”.  When we train in the Word of God, we will not PANIC when a crisis arises.  The Word of God will prepare us for any and every event that will be placed before us.

When we train in the Word, we will default to our level of training when a crisis arises.

So lets get relaxed and trust in Him so we don’t CHOKE.

Let’s study and train, so we will not PANIC.

Philippians 4:6

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

KJV

Colossians 4:6

6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

KJV