| Before my first Olympic Games, I had the privilege of training for a year in the Iowa State wrestling room. Much of my practice time was spent fighting to get off my back. Iowa State had a number of national champions in the room, including Dan Gable and my brother Ben. Along with the national champions, there were those of us who had not gained that status. Already a graduate of a small state university (University of Wisconsin - Stout), I had missed my chance to be a college National Champion. My best finish had been fifth place my senior year. Many wrestlers in the Iowa State wrestling room were surprised that year when I won a number of tough tournaments. One said, "Peterson, we can't figure you out! We hammer on you every day in the practice room, then you go out and do so well in the tournaments. Why?"
As a Christian, I had learned the importance of working hard mentally, as well as physically. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." In Colossians 3:2, Paul says, "set your mind on things above." In Romans 12:2, we are told, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." As a believer, I should have a different way of thinking. This different thinking naturally has had an effect on me as a wrestler.
Before my final Olympic match in Montreal, I went to a room in the back of the Wrestling arena with Ben. We did some warm-up and stretching exercises in preparation for my final competition. As we walked from that exercise area toward the wrestling area, I noticed an overhead television monitor. As I glanced up at it, the announcer said, "In one minute, we will be taking you to Maurice Richard Arena to watch John Peterson attempt to win an Olympic Gold Medal!" As I listened, I realized that people in many parts of America and even the world would be watching my match. Suddenly, the emotional pressure of that thought hit me. "What if I make all kinds of mistakes? What if I get caught and PINNED!" (I had been pinned in the first period of a match just four months before the Olympics.) Well, right there, I actually began to cry!
As I walked onto the wrestling mat and shook my opponents hand, I forgot about the television and all the people. I was on familiar ground. I had spent many hours on a wrestling mat. Soon the nervousness left, and I was able to wrestle confidently to the best of my ability.
That could have been false confidence; it could have been cockiness or false pride. If I really had not spent time conditioning my body and learning wrestling moves, no amount of self-confidence would have allowed me to compete in the Olympics. My confidence was important. But even more important were the facts in which I had put my confidence.
As a Christian, I have learned the importance of trusting the facts. In 1 John 5:11-13, the Bible says, And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life: he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." God's Word does not just say that you may feel like you have eternal life, or that you can hope you have eternal life. It says you may know that you have eternal life! I put my faith in what Jesus did on the Cross. He died for my sins. Therefore, my security is not based on my performance, but rather is based on what Jesus has done for me. God accepted me because of Christ's death.
Athletes are often insecure. There are so many unknowns in an athletes life. "Will I make the team? How long will I stay on the team? Will I get injured? Am I prepared for competition? What will my opponent do? Will I lose? How will people react if I lose? " These are just a few of an athlete's questions.
There is, however, a more important question that we all must answer. Where does our security come from - does it come from ourselves, from others or from God?
If an athlete's security comes form himself or from others, he will have a difficult time with the pressure that comes as the questions mentioned above fill his mind. If his security is in God, however, the pressure is much easier to handle.
When doubts about your ability to perform fill your mind, you can take those doubts "captive" (2 Corinthians 10:5). You can tell God about your anxious thoughts and claim His promise of peace (Philippians 4:6). This will allow you to concentrate on the task at hand. Your mind will be free to think of the things necessary to produce your best performance.
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