Earlier this month, Alex Rodriguez, the New York Yankees' all-star third baseman, admitted to using drugs to improve his performance and justify his enormous salary. Those muscle-building, performance-enhancing substances have long-term, serious side effects. Liver damage? Heart damage? Hypertension? It's just the cost of doing business as far as many "uber athletes" are concerned. The immediate pay off in an inflated salaries, lucrative endorsement contracts and the adulation of trusting fans are too irresistible for some.
Unfortunately, thousands of impressionable teens imitate these so-called role models in an effort to win at all costs. They put their faith in steroids and take them in locker rooms and weight rooms across the country. Hundreds of thousands of high school and college athletes believe they must be bigger, faster, stronger, in order to compete. By the time they step onto the playing field, they're "juiced up."
The truth is the greatest foe those athletes face is themselves.The taking of drugs is a sign that they have lost faith in themselves. It takes real strength of character and fortitude to commit to the kind of exercise regimen, diet and practice routines, which are needed to become a true champion. But something else is needed.
Many great athletes have said that their game is 10% physical; 90% mental. Yes, they have natural physical ability, but more than that, they have faith in themselves. They succeed because they believe they will succeed. They don't need steroids because they have something better. They have faith. And the same principle is at work in all walks of life.
We can see an example of that kind of faith at work far from the athletic field. In Mark 9: 14-29, we read how the faith of a father moved Jesus to heal his demon-possessed son. The boy was completely powerless to help himself. Talk about physical limitations--he repeatedly fell into the water and fire in what must have been a living hell.
Ignoring the derision of the scribes, the father beseeched the apostles to cure his son--only to have them fail in the attempt. But the father could not be deterred. When the crowd parted, and he saw Jesus standing before him, he implored the Lord:
"...if you can do anything," the father begged, "have compassion on us and help us."
Jesus actually rebuked the man. "'If you can!' Everything is possible to one who has faith."
Challenged by Jesus, the boy's father cried out, "I do believe, help my unbelief!"
Immediately, Jesus turned to the boy and commanded the mute and deaf spirit to leave him.
Like that father, most of us encounter situations that test our faith. Setbacks and failures that can sap our spirits and leave us hurt, angry and discouraged. We may begin to question our own abilities, our worthiness, our faith - - and our God. We might be tempted to quell those feelings of inferiority with alcohol or drugs.
The next time you encounter obstacles that leave you questioning God's will for your life, bring those doubts to prayer and ask the Lord to "help my unbelief."
Copyright 2009, Spiritual Kindling
By Bob Larranaga
Bob Larranaga is the webmaster at http://www.spiritualkindling.com, Home of Inspiring Scriptures, Famous Quotes, Free Sermons, Prayer and Christian Fellowship. Plus, Christian music, videos, books, christian home decor and artwork, religious jewelry and apparel. Visitors can search by theme, add their own posts. New topics are added daily, each one related to the readings for daily Mass. If interested in exchanging reciprocal links, contact Bob_Larranaga@yahoo.com
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