January 16th | As A Child Of God We Are To Win!

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The undefeated key to successful training? Reading the Bible with purposeful intent. It's the training manual that shapes our minds, fuels our discipline, and aligns our actions with who we are in Christ.

A a Mental Performance Coach I discuss the Training Mindset and the Trusting Mindset. Usually these conversations occur regarding their lives as athletes, coaches, finance or real estate. However, it applies to living life as a Child of God.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV):

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly. I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Paul draws directly from the athletic world the Corinthians knew so well. The Isthmian Games, held every two years near Corinth in honor of Poseidon, were massive—second only to the Olympics in prestige. Athletes endured rigorous, self-denying training for a temporary prize (often a wreath of celery or pine that would wither quickly). Paul flips this: our "race" as believers demands even greater discipline—not aimless running or shadowboxing, but purposeful, body-subduing effort toward an eternal crown. It's about living our identity with rigor, making our bodies "slaves" to God's purposes.

The undefeated key to successful training? Reading the Bible with purposeful intent. It's the training manual that shapes our minds, fuels our discipline, and aligns our actions with who we are in Christ (transformed, called, victorious).

Then shifting to the Trusting Mindset brings beautiful balance. Proverbs 28:25-26 (NIV) nails it:

The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper. Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe."

Walking in wisdom equates to trusting the Lord. Self-reliance leads to foolishness and strife, but deep trust in God brings prosperity (not just material, but holistic flourishing in soul and purpose) and safety.

Tying in 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV):

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

This is the Holy Spirit's equipping—power for the race, love for others along the way, and self-discipline that bridges training and trust. It's not either/or; the trusting heart receives the Spirit's self-discipline to train effectively.

And Luke 21:19 (NIV): "Stand firm, and you will win life." (Mind blown!)

In context, Jesus speaks amid end-times trials, urging endurance. "Stand firm" echoes the athlete who doesn't quit—the one who trains rigorously while trusting God's sustaining power. By perseverance (through training empowered by trust), we "win life"—eternal life, abundant life, the fullness of our identity in Him. To be clear, this isn't coaching advice for athletes only. It is advice to everyone. We all need a framework of which to live inside. This framework allows us to build disciplined habits and actions daily. What I call the Discipline Day allows us to "win" our day. This framework of Godly habits creates a rhythm. We will win the small moments of our day, and moments create momentum!

Don't stay stuck in spiritual "Kindergarten"! Advance by training in Christ's ways—disciplined habits, Scripture immersion, prayerful dependence—and you'll win. It's the beautiful synergy: We TRAIN with intensity so we can TRUST the One who gives the victory with our life, allowing us to live in utmost confidence and composure.

We are not aimless runners or self-reliant fools. We are trained, disciplined athletes in an eternal race, empowered by the Spirit, trusting the Lord who prospers and keeps us safe. Who we are in Christ calls us to both rigorous training and profound trust.

I'd love to hear from you if you are open to sharing in the comments. Keep pressing on!