“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” — Romans 5:3-4
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Christians know well that perseverance and endurance are a large part of the faith. One of the greatest lessons in the Bible comes from Paul in Romans 5, where he teaches that endurance produces character and character produces hope (Romans 5:3-5).
Paul is referring to those suffering. However, the message is relevant for Christian athletes, especially when it comes to enduring and persevering in competitive sports.
The recent NHL Stanley Cup Finals put both the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers to the test. Initially, the Panthers dominated the series by winning three straight games. To everyone’s surprise, the Oilers came back and tied the series, 3-3.
Athletes are competitive, but some might quit when faced with such a difficult challenge. It’s like the Biblical account of Goliath. Only a brave shepherd named David had the guts to fight the tough warrior. No one else had what it took. David exercised bravery, courage and perseverance.
And so did the Oilers in their comeback. Led by star Connor McDavid, the Oilers won three games in a row, taking the Finals to Game 7 in Florida. Despite their ultimate final loss, the Oilers’ ability to overcome the odds was inspiring, as few hockey teams have made such a comeback.
Not only did the Oilers show endurance and perseverance, but so did the Panthers. Did they become overconfident in their 3-0 lead? Similar to Samson facing a thousand Philistines (Judges 15:14-16), the Panthers had to persevere and dig deep in order to find their competitive spirit. The Panthers made it to their second Finals in two straight years, losing the first. The pressure intensifies when a team makes it to the Finals. In Game 4, the Panthers crumbled, leading to doubt after a loss, and panic ensued as the Oilers eventually tied the series.
Sports exemplify the importance of never giving up and practicing both patience and perseverance. Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky shined in the first three games and struggled in Game 4, even being benched. It wasn’t until Game 7 that he regained his groove. Once the final game came around, Bobrovsky shined. After winning his first championship, Bobrovsky praised God, saying, “I want to thank God for this experience. … I’m nothing without Him, I want to dedicate this win to Him. … I’m just blessed.”
Bobrovsky said it best as he praised the Lord. Despite being benched in Game 4, his coach didn’t doubt him for the rest of the series. Bobrovsky’s hard work paid off as he only gave up one goal in Game 7, leading his team to victory. Despite challenges, Bobrovsky and the Panthers persevered and emerged as battle-tested champions.
— David Crum
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