God's Coaching #248

God's Coaching #248

Bethany Hamilton never saw the shark coming. Bethany, a native of the small Hawaiian island of Kauai, was a born surfer. By age eight, she was winning surfing competitions and seemed destined for a career as a star professional surfer. But one fall day in 2003, as she was surfing with several friends off Kauai’s North Shore, a 14-foot tiger shark attacked her, severing her left arm. Her friends bravely paddled her back to shore, where she passed out waiting for the ambulance after losing 60 percent of her blood.

Incredibly, after several surgeries, a one-armed Bethany was back on her surfboard within a month. She even fulfilled her lifelong dream by competing on several different professional surfing tours. She gained international fame for her incredible tale of survival and perseverance. In 2011 a feature-length movie about her life entitled Soul Surfer was released in theaters around the world.

Bethany tried to honor God throughout her trial. She has traveled the world to share her faith and to encourage others to overcome obstacles for God’s glory.

What’s the Score?

Bethany was a great example of God using human weakness to show his power. Most people would doubt that a one-armed surfer could win in a sport that relies heavily on balance. But Bethany did just that. God has worked through her physical limitations to bring glory to his name.

He wants to do that with you, too. God often puts us in difficult situations to humble us and to show us where we truly draw our strength from. When you run into a difficult time, don’t resist him. Thank him for the great things he is about to accomplish through you!

On the Ball

Think about one area in life in which you are weak: sports? math? reading? music? Now think about how God can show his power through your weakness.

Coach’s Comment

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9