What ARe You Wrestling Against?

Gen. 2:16-17 - The LORD God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die."        NASU 

• 2014 NCAA Wrestling Championships Are In The History Books 

Some history making events took place at this year's championships. Penn State won their 4th consecutive title, something they had never done before. ESPN televised all three days of the wrestling event another first and for that I give ESPN, a big hearty "THANKS, U ROCK". 

• God and Coaches Are Similar 

God the Coach, told Adam and Eve, the participants, what to do, "From any tree…Eat Freely." And He also told them what not to do, "From the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall NOT EAT."

Now what is so hard about those do's and don'ts?

Wrestling coaches are like God in that they tell their wrestlers what to do and what not to do. All coaches will emphasize these do's and don'ts -"Do get your proper sleep and nutrition, Do attend all of your classes, Don't let your weight get out of control, and Don't miss practices." 

Coaches also are at mat side giving instructions when their wrestler is in the battle. Your coach wants the best for you exactly like God wanted the best for Adam and Eve. 

• What Was He Thinking 

I have to admit while watching a few of the matches the thought, "What was he (the wrestler) thinking?" came to my mind. Some wrestlers tried moves that everyone knew would not work. So why did they try? 

I believe in the heat of the battle you will resort back to old habits when you become impatient or desperate. Even if you know this move will not work against this wrestler you will try it.

In one weight class the wrestler was known for his ability to ride his opponent. The commentators were wondering if the other wrestler when it was his choice would take bottom or neutral. He took neutral. He was better in the neutral position and that was his strength. He went with his strength. He stayed away from the other wrestler's strength. Now was not the time to be macho, now was the time to win a championship.

There was no doubt in my mind that wrestler listened to his coach and won the match. 

• Wrestlers Are Like Adam and Eve 

And then it dawned on me wrestlers are like Adam and Eve sometimes. They don't listen to their coaches. Adam and Eve were not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and they didn't listen to their coach, who just happened to be God.

There are some wrestlers today who are going over and over in their minds, what if. What if I would have done this or what if I would have listened to my coach?

You can not change the outcome of your match now so let me say this, "Use this as a learning experience, listen to your coach the next time and now it is time to move on in your life. Set another goal and start working to accomplish it." 

• Coaches Aren't Infallible 

Wrestling coaches aren't infallible as God is but they do have an advantage when coaching from the mat side. They are able to see the match from another perspective. I am not saying all coaches always have the correct advice, but they are there to help you in the heat of the battle.

It all comes down to trust. Do you trust your coach?

When the pressure on the mat is turned up do you trust your coach? If you don't trust him then why did you ever accept the coach's invitation to come and wrestle for him? You are both going to be frustrated.

Adam and Eve simply didn't trust God. They listened to and believed a lie and lost their match. When the pressure of your life is turned up are you going to trust your coach, God?

• What Are You Wrestling Against Today? 

Do you have a coach or someone you can trust? Ask them for their advice on how to defeat this opponent you are wrestling at this time.

Have you been coached on how to defeat this problem in your life? Implement what you have been taught.

Think on These:

Confidence is the feeling you have before you fully understand the situation.

A good coach inspires men to have confidence in him; a great coach inspires men to have confidence in themselves. 

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago
Minister of God's Word