There Is Always Hope

When I was playing for the Columbia Fireflies, a reporter asked me, “Has there been any moment where you said, ‘Man, I should have stuck with baseball [when I was young]?’ ” This question got me fired up. I told him, I think in life there are times when negativity and doubt and fear creep in. We have a choice in those moments. What are we going to do with those thoughts? How are we going to handle them? And what’s the next step? Having these thoughts isn’t a bad thing; it’s what you do with them.

To get out of that, I first remind myself of the truth that God works all things for His good and, second, I choose to believe in the goodness of His plan. I took this crazy route filled with highs and lows for a reason, God wrote my story, and God is always working behind the scenes.

When we remember this truth, it can help us stay grounded no matter what we're going through or what we fear. God didn’t make mistakes when I was going through the highs or the lows, nor with how my path in professional sports turned out. He wrote my story before I was even born. With this truth in mind, I don’t have to look back. My job is to stay in the moment and do the best I can at whatever is before me.

And to touch on fear for a moment...God is bigger than your greatest fear! You can choose to trust God, even if your present circumstances feel overwhelming or even hopeless. What’s your greatest fear? Do you believe God is bigger than whatever it is? I do. Give it to Him, and trust. 

So many people wear t-shirts, Faith over fear... In fact, my team and I have thought of making one. Faith over fear is important. And that's true. I believe it's biblical. But it doesn't matter if you just say faith over fear, say faith overcomes fear. It's not faith. It's the object of our faith. That's what does. It's not, oh my gosh, you had so much faith. But if you have faith in that chair, it's not going to help you with your fear. Faith in that chair, it might keep you seated and pretty comfortable. It's not going to help you overcome your fear of your adversity, of your doubt, of the pain of family members that are sick, whatever it is. But the object of our faith as believers is Jesus. That's what overcomes the fear. Jesus is who helps us overcome the fear.

Have thoughts? Or want more encouragement? Text me at 904 441 5450