God's Coaching #48

God's Coaching #48

Nothing felt right as Dan Jansen started the 500-meter speed-skating competition at the 1988 Calgary Olympics. His legs were weak. His mind was numb. His heart was broken. His closest sister, Jane, had died just a few hours earlier of leukemia.

Dan’s sister loved speed skating and loved watching him compete. For Jane, he tried to clear his brain and skate for gold. Dan exploded out of the starting blocks but lost his balance on the first turn. He fell, slid, and crashed into the wall. He buried his face in his hands.

The Olympics seemed cursed for Dan. Although he had won numerous championships and set world records, he crashed again in the 1992 Winter Games and again in his first race in the 1994 Olympics. He had one race left: the 1,000 meters. On the last lap, he slipped but kept his balance. Dan crossed the finish line with a new world record and a gold medal—finally! It would never erase the grief of losing his sister, but he had finally fulfilled his dream. Dan skated a victory lap with his baby daughter in his arms. He had named her Jane . . . after his sister.

What’s the Score?

Dan discovered that grief can overwhelm our hearts, minds, and bodies. Losing someone we love is sad, and it can make us feel helpless and even hopeless. There’s a normal process of missing our loved ones that we have to go through to heal. God understands that. He knows the pain of death and loss—he watched his own Son die on a cross for the sins of the world.

Staying close to God during times of grief won’t magically make our pain go away, but God will bring us comfort and hope. King David knew that. He wrote, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4, NASB). No matter how badly you hurt, keep turning to God and to the people around you for help.

On the Ball

Write to God about someone you love who has died or moved far away. Be totally honest and tell God how you miss that person. If you have a friend who lost a loved one, hang out with him or her. Say you’re sorry and ask if he or she wants to talk about it. You don’t have to know what to say; just listen.

Coach’s Comment

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 (NASB)