Today for #ScriptureSaturday, Anna shares how she deals with the nerves and pressure of competing on the World Stage for Shot Put…

Some of you may know that I’ve competed in the Shot Put for the past 9 years, and am part of the Great Britain Para-athletics Team.

I often get asked how I deal with nerves and pressure at competitions, especially whilst competing on the World Stage.

It’s something I’ve struggled with in the past, sometimes not performing to my best at competitions and becoming frustrated at not improving as much as I had wanted to. But over the last couple of years I’ve taken a step back and trusted in the process and plan that God has for me and have seen great improvements since.

1 Peter 5:6-7 says “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”.

Before I compete, whether that be in rainy Manchester or against the World Record Holder in Dubai, I go through the same process, remember the same verses. I know God has his plan for me, and I’ve done all the training I can do. I pray that God keeps me in that moment, block distractions of supporters, competitors and expectations (both internal and external) out. I pray that he will let me focus on my technique and not wobble or waiver during the throw. I give him my burdens & anxieties so I don’t have to carry them and focus on competing.

It’s something so applicable to everyday life, not just to sports. God wants to take our burdens and anxieties, stresses and pressures of life, so we don’t have to carry them around as he cares for us. It reminds me of the Footprints poem we learned about in Sunday School years ago. When you give God your burdens He will carry you and your worries.

1 Peter 5: 6-7 (NIV) 
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.