One thing many failing athletes usually experience is loneliness.
Everybody wants to identify and associate with professional, to the point that they completely forget about others who are not fortunate enough to come to the limelight.
All failing athletes must know that God loves them. He is ready to be their helper who will take them to greater heights.
One character in the bible whose life suddenly took a journey through the path of failure, but who later became very great was Joseph. Genesis 37,39-47.
What was the secret of the life of Joseph? Love for God.
This is what any failing athlete can also embrace to enjoy the benefits that are attached to loving God.
Lessons From Biblical Joseph to Failing Athletes
1. He did not join his brothers in their evil deeds
Joseph was about the youngest among his brothers, and the bible recorded that they were evil, but Joseph did not join them in their evil deeds, instead he reported them to their father.
What would have informed a young boy who was supposed to follow in the footsteps of his brothers to do that?
Obviously his father must have taught him the ways of the Lord which made Joseph to fear to do evil.
As a failing athlete, you may be tempted to cut corners or do evils in order to succeed.
Suggestions and thoughts about taking enhancing drugs, or giving false information may come your way, these are not the true ways to success.
You may see others doing it and getting away with it, don’t join them because it is against the will of God.
2. He was an obedient slave.
After Joseph was sold to Egypt and he got to the House of Potiphar, the Pharaoh officer who bought him, the bible recorded that he was totally submissive to his master.
He did so well that the master noticed that God was with him, and that whatever is committed to his hands prospers the more, hence he put all his estates into the hands of Joseph, yet Joseph did not disappoint him.
A great lesson for failing athletes here. When you love God, and you are willing to obey him, you will not find obeying instructions, or going through rigorous training in order to succeed a difficult thing to do, because you will know that God does not tolerate laziness or nonchalant attitude to work.
3. He refused to sleep with his master’s wife.
Joseph refused to commit sin with his master’s wife, and the only reason he gave for that is that, it is a sin against God.
He did that at the expense of losing his life, and he was thrown to jail by his master.
If you love God, it will give you a very strong reason why you should not touch sin.
Many people would say, “what is wrong with me doing it, after all, others are doing it, or I did not initiate it, but the other person introduced me to it.”
Your love for God will make you run like Joseph from all these, because you will not want to sacrifice such a rare privilege for things pull you away from achieving your dreams.
4. Total submission to prison authorities.
Joseph did not change his attitudes or ways of life even in the prison. He continued to live his life for God, and made pleasing God his number one priority.
The prison authorities soon noticed this, and they committed the whole prison into his hands.
Obviously, this shows that God was with him, and kept giving him favor wherever he goes.
All failing athletes must know that those who love God will enjoy his favor.
The favor of God will make you to have what you cannot labor for, cheaply.
It will make everybody to want to help you, even when you are not asking them for help.
God does not disappoint those who love him, rather he blesses them.
5. He interpreted dreams
When the two officers of Pharaoh that were kept in the same prison with Joseph had dreams, the bible says they were troubled, because they don’t know the meaning of their dreams, nor the person who can interpret the dreams to them.
Because of our love for God, Joseph who had been charged to take care of them, took notice of their countenance and asked them about their welfare.
When they told him, he volunteered to interpret their dreams, never minding the fact that part of the reasons why his life took a downward turn, was because of interpreting his own dreams before his brothers, who became jealous, and decided to get rid of him.
Like God, those who love God gets a kind heart that will make them to always seek the welfare of others.
When you show concern for others, because you can’t stand seeing them suffer, God will take care of you too.
Who says failing athletes cannot contribute to the rising of others?
You should rejoice in the success of others, so that your own would come.
6. He was forgotten for two years.
Joseph begged the Chief Butler of Pharaoh after he was reinstated, not to forget him. Hoping to help get him out of the prison, because he was innocent of the crime for which he was imprisoned.
Surprisingly, the man did not remember him, and for the next two years, Joseph remained in the prison.
People don’t remember failing athletes, their names are not mentioned in the press, nor in the social media, except when the news want to bring athletes who are not performing well into limelight.
Joseph was forgotten because his time had not come.
When his time came, God made Pharaoh to have a dream that only he can interpret. Joseph then became a sought for.
Your time is coming, just remain unshakable in your love for God.
7. He was a man of Integrity.
When Joseph became Prime Minister, Pharaoh put the whole of Egypt under his care.
Because Joseph loves and fears God, he did not abuse this privilege. He performed his duties well, and was a man of high integrity.
He did not even try to take revenge on Potiphar and his wife for throwing him to jail wrongly.
Be diligent and focused in your athletic career. If you don’t hold any grudge, animosity, bitterness, and hatred against anyone, not because no one has wronged you, but because you don’t want to sin against God. Though you might have been classed among failing athletes. God will see to it that you are elevated and honored.
8. He did not take revenge.
Eventually the brothers of Joseph came to buy food in Egypt. By virtue of his new status, Joseph had a very good opportunity to take revenge over what they did to him.
Because he loves God, he refused to do that. Rather he told them that God used them to send him ahead to Egypt to prepare the place for their coming. So that they will not die of famine.
Indeed, all things work together for good for those who loves God.
That was what happened to Joseph. No matter what anyone may do to frustrate your destiny, if you love God, he will turn it around to favor and bless you.
9. He was a selfless leader.
Joseph sought the welfare of his people. Making sure that they relocated to Egypt and got delivered from famine. The famine would have wiped them out of the land of the living.
He was not selfish, even though he had very good reason to be so.
Your love for God will make you to love others, and make efforts to help them.
Let your heart be open to God, fellowship with Him, and love Him with the whole of your heart. You will see that indeed He has power to promote those who have been condemned to the valley.
Your time is coming, just remain unshakable in your love for God.
