Athlete, God places a high premium on patience. Maybe we should too. He says that having patience with self and circumstance is more important than building a winning-warrior reputation; it's more important to a man's success than having a strong sense of fight. Dominating others is not as important as dominating self. Rising to the top starts and ends with patience and the emotional stability it brings.

God also places high value on emotional control. Imposing our will on others is not nearly as crucial as imposing control over ourselves. Being able to rein in our temper at any given moment is more impressive and productive than single-handedly laying siege to a whole city.

Not surprisingly, in a detailed study of common personality traits of elite Olympic athletes, results showed that two of the top seven common traits were emotional control and emotional stability. The research supports what God declares. We'd be wise to value the same and grow them into “our game” too.

How are you doing in the areas of emotional stability and control? Are you patient and steady over the long haul? Are you under control in each moment (with few flare-ups or meltdowns)?

LORD, grant us wins in both these areas. We see it in Jesus. Install it in us, we pray. Help us to value what You do. We want to live out a better way to play.