Stepping up to the penalty spot, a player takes the ball from the referee and places it on the ground. He takes a deep breath, takes a few steps back. He looks at the goal, the whistle blows, he gets one last quick peek at the goalkeeper and finishes the ball into the back of the net. The announcer says with a steady tone, “Pure confidence!”

No doubt, as an athlete, you have experienced a moment like that. The game was on the line — to be determined by clutch free-throws, penalty kicks, a last-minute pass to the end zone, a final at bat.

Athlete, what is the source of your confidence? Does it change, shift, leave you high and dry based on your performance or others’ opinions? 

In reality, there is always room for growth. No game has ever been played perfectly! There are always going to be mistakes, mishaps and unlucky bounces. So how do you maintain confidence in those successful moments as well as during times of struggle?

The author of Hebrews says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods (sport, your performance, people) which have not benefited those devoted to them” (italicized words added).

Take confidence in the One who created you and gave you the talents, abilities and experiences that make up the athlete you are today! God said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5).

Athlete, are you placing your confidence and trust in the God who promised never to leave you? What might that look like?

Jonathan Van Horn is author of “SHIFT: The Athlete’s Playbook 5 Proven Steps to Life After Sport.” He assists athletes through successful transitions in sport and life. You can hear stories and learn more about SHIFT on The SHIFT Podcast on iTunes and Spotify as well as online at theshiftcourse.com.