“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Clutch Christians

In the world of sports, being “clutch” is one of the most admired qualities a player can have. Michael Jordan’s legacy is largely built upon his perfect 6-0 record in the pressure-filled NBA Finals and the game-winning shots he hit in the playoffs to secure those championships. He doesn’t have the most championships or the most points, but MJ is arguably the most clutch basketball player ever. Jordan is just one of many athletes across all sports whose reputation is that when the stakes are highest, they’re at their best. 

Earlier this year, Bleacher Report’s Brandon Sneed wrote an article trying to figure out why athletes and people in general can deliver clutch performances based on scientific research. What he found was quite interesting: the more someone thinks about the significance of the moment and about the outcome, the less likely that person is to be clutch. The players and people who are clutch actually shut down their frontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for analytical thinking, almost entirely.

When it comes to our faith, we like to analyze and worry about things. We try to be in control of everything instead of taking a back seat to God and His plan for us. By praying about something and putting it in God’s hands, we can find a new sense of peace and calm knowing that God is in control. It takes courage and trust to leave everything up to God, but when we do, the stress and frustration go away and life becomes so much more enjoyable.

By giving all of our worry and anxiety up to God, we can become clutch Christians.

– Joshua Doering