Student Athlete Keeping the Faith

By Rod Felton Huggins - Maintaining faith in Christ amid worldly challenges is indeed a continual journey for many believers. The contrast between the values promoted by the world and those aligned with believers in Christ can be a source of inner conflict. This can be even more glaring for Student Athletes. As a former Division 1 collegiate athlete, I can attest to the fact that keeping your faith while being an athlete can be extremely difficult. With the strain of fighting against the temptations of lust, envy, greed, idolatry and many other sins of the flesh, we have to know that giving up is not an option.The bible tells us to not be conformed by the world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. (Romans 12:2)

So what’s your game plan? In mostly every sports competition, a team has to come up with a game plan so that their team can come out victorious. This is no different when battling for your faith. Studying your opponent’s tactics and schemes are vital to knowing how to overcome them. We have a promise, in 1st John 5:4, that anyone who has been born of God, he or she overcomes the world. Knowing that you are already an overcomer, you have to know who your opponent/enemy is. In our case, the enemy is Satan. He loves to pray on our weaknesses to cause us sin, so that we will feel as if we no longer belong to God. This of course is a lie (John 8:44) and just a way for Satan to make us lose focus on God's created plan for us. God created us for His glory (Isa. 43:7) and instructs us to “do everything for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). So come up with a game plan on ways to keep your faith and overcome.

Need help with developing a game plan? No worries, here are a few ways you can become more than conquer (Romans 8:37).

Connect with Others

• Join with other like minded believers to keep one another encouraged and accountable.

• Remember two is better than one. (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12) Don’t try to do it alone.

Identify and Avoid Traps

• Identify what temptations you struggle with.

• By knowing our weaknesses, we must try to completely avoid allowing these temptations

to take place by fleeing from them. 2 Timothy 2:22. DON’T FLIRT WITH SIN

Put on the Full Armor of God Daily 

• Read Ephesian 6:10-18 for more details

Have a Spiritual Leader or Mentor

• Spiritual leader or mentor can offer strength and guidance in navigating this ongoing battle.

Finding support within your faith community, avoiding traps, putting on the Full armor of God daily, and seeking guidance from spiritual leaders can offer strength and guidance in navigating this ongoing battle. Remembering the core tenets of your faith and applying them to daily challenges can provide a foundation for resilience and a sense of purpose.