Giving Up Is Easy.

GIVING UP IS EASY. But coming back after failure shows character. Peter Fleck displayed his winning attitude by claiming back-to-back barefoot waterskiing jumping titles at the X Games.

Fleck’s first two X Games didn’t go well. In fact, they were horrible. He made six jumps and landed zero. The results: no medals, no money, no glory, and lots of embarrassment. But instead of giving up, Fleck returned to compete in the 1997 X Games, where he won gold. Then Fleck came back again in 1998 to defend his title.

Heading into the two-day competition, Fleck oozed confidence—not because he was cocky but because he was prepared. After winning his first gold, Fleck worked even harder to stay on top in his sport. He looked at hours of videotape, trying to find ways to get more distance from his jumps and discover techniques to nail his landings. The extra effort paid off as Fleck landed his first jump in every round and never trailed in the competition.

In the semifinals, Fleck jumped 87.5 feet to lead Ron Scarpa, Mamo Colosio, and Lane Bowers into the finals. Fleck went 87.5 feet again in the finals to edge out Scarpa by four feet. Colosio took third.

EXTRA < < < < < < < < < < < < < <

POINT Barefoot waterskiing is hard enough. Don’t believe it? Just try it. But being pulled by a boat at speeds of over 40 mph, zooming up a ramp, flying through the air, and landing on the water on your feet seems impossible. And soaring nearly 90 feet—that’s like jumping nine cars—is amazing. Doing it once would be an awesome feat. Landing it time after time is almost unthinkable. But Peter Fleck developed the skills and confidence to do it and ended up winning back-to-back gold medals.

Confidence makes a big difference in life and in athletics. As Christ’s followers, we have a source for our confidence that’s unbelievably powerful. The prophet Jeremiah says we’ll be blessed by putting our confidence in the Lord.

GOAL! Can you think of something that you were awful at the first time you tried? Praise God that he gave you the talent to practice and improve. Commit to putting your confidence in the Lord.