If you know me at all, you know I am a Bulldog through and through. My blood runs red and black and (sad to admit…) the quality of my day can be determined by the performance of a bunch of college age fellas on 100 yards of grass. Additionally, I think Kirby Smart is brilliant. Great strategist (onside kick, anyone???), composed interviewee, and tremendous motivator. I am a huge fan of his! But I’ve never considered him a theologian.
Until a recent interview.
Prior to the UGA-Texas game (HOW BOUT THEM DAWGS!!!!), Kirby was on a sports talk show and he was asked how he handled the nerves (his and the team’s) facing such a big game.
Without missing a beat, Kirby said GRATITUDE. He went on to say that when you are grateful for what you have, it alleviates the anxiety. While he was speaking in terms of the opportunity the Dawgs have to be on the big stage, the principle holds true for all of life. Gratitude supplants anxiety, worry, fear.
I don’t know where Kirby gets his truth (but I do know a couple of Godly men who pour into him so maybe he knows where this principle of gratitude originates) but the Apostle Paul taught us this long before football was even a sport. Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7. Gratitude. Thanksgiving. Bringing peace. Defeating anxiety.
A thankful heart gains victory over a whole bunch of assailants. Criticalness, fear, worry, apathy, selfishness, pride to name a few. If you have some stuff in your heart that is less than fulfilling, try practicing gratitude. A seemingly simple exercise of writing down three things EVERY DAY that you are grateful for delivers great returns.
Thank you for reading :) And GO DAWGS