Frustrated

Practice was a little rough yesterday, both mentally and physically. It wasn't physically hurting or tired out, but I couldn't get my body to perform the way I wanted it to. This post might not relate to many people, but I think you can replace track practice with anything you want.

Shot put is one of the hardest events for me because I stand 5 feet 11 inches tall and about 175 pounds. The average shot putter weighs probably about 100-125 pounds more than that and is more likely to be around 6 feet to 6 feet 4 inches tall. So this already puts me in a hole for starters. But excusing these factors, I still am able to throw pretty far for my size, somedays. Yesterday was not a good day. I found myself trying a new type of throwing technique that will ultimately help me in the end if I can complete the technique correctly. That was not the case yesterday. Instantly I found myself getting angry and frustrated when I really shouldn't have been getting angry, but I'm human and I'm usually pretty good at mimicking body movements. I seem to pick up on things quickly and I can get my body to move in the way I would like it to. I like to say that I have a good proprioceptive sense or kinesiological sense. My favorite kinesiology professor has a theory that this kinesiological sense is our "Sixth sense." Anyways, I seem to have this sixth sense which helps me in the decathlon because learning 10 events can be very exhausting if the techniques are not quickly learned. But I usually have a good sense of how my body is moving, but at practice it seemed like I couldn't get it. So I instantly got frustrated with myself and freaked out a couple of times. But then God put a verse in my head that put everything in perspective. Philippians 4:4-"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" and then I thought about the story of Job and the verse that says "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Blessed be the name of the Lord." And then I remembered the Superbowl a couple days ago. The kicker for the Colts praises the Lord and points to Heaven whether he makes the field goal or not. Instantly I thought to myself, "Do I praise God for my bad times? Do I ever thank him for giving me hard times?" You can't have good if you don't have bad. You can't achieve perfection unless you can do wrong.

As these thoughts crashed to the forefront of my mind, I had to stop, thank the Lord for the struggle, and ask him to help me focus, get my mind and attitude right, and to help me with the rest of practice, giving all the glory to Him. What do I do in times of tragedy? breakdown? weakness? Do I call on the Lord? I'm trying to learn how to now. Care to join me?

Lord, I know that today will bring trouble, conflict, adversity in some way, shape, or form. I pray that I will have the strength to stand up against it with a humble heart and a victorious mindset, with my only strength and help coming from you. Teach me to honor you in the hard times, the times I feel like it the least. I love you Lord and I want to show it. Whether it's during the calm of the sea or a raging storm. Rescue me.

"...But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33