Pressure and Distraction

The Olympics are coming to a close this weekend in London. Organizers have proclaimed the games a great success, not only for the athletic competition, but also in viewership as the IOC estimates a potential global audience of over 4.8 billion people. I know I sometimes get a bit nervous standing over a four-foot putt with only three people watching. Imagine trying to balance yourself on a 4 inch beam, or stop a slicing soccer ball from going into the net, or clear a hurdle while running at full speed knowing that there might be 4.8 billion people watching!! The ability of those athletes who focus their attention on the moment and task at hand, blocking out the pressures and distractions all around them, is what often separates them from other competitors.

How do you handle pressure? How easily are you distracted? Few will ever have to perform before the glaring eyes of billions of people as Olympic athletes do, but for most of us, it doesn't take that kind of crowd to do the job. The pressures of work or school, even family sometimes take their toll and the easiest of tasks are made more challenging. Elite athletes often have some kind of strategy for dealing with that kind of pressure and distraction.

So, what is your strategy? I think the apostle Paul had a pretty good handle on the challenges he faced that brought pressure and distraction to his journey. He wrote in Philippians 4:11b, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." This isn't apathy or disconnected indifference. Contentment, for the person of faith, is living in the moment with all its pressures and distractions, trusting that God is present with you as you do your best to accomplish the task...to do whatever must be done. Gold medals aren't often awarded for the daily challenges we face, but the assurance that God is with us empowers our actions and sharpens our focus. In the midst of pressure and distraction, that is our greatest strength.

Jim Abernathy