If you’re looking for motivation, it means that you’re lacking motivation, feeling discouraged, or maybe even overcome by defeat… Christian athlete motivation is often overlooked because there could be a stigma that “because you’re a Christian, you should be perfect…” The stigma can come from both external and internal pressures, but the stigma is inaccurate. 

You are human. You don’t need to be perfect. It’s okay to lack motivation, feel discouraged, or set back by defeat. It is okay. But what’s NOT okay is staying in that place for too long. And if you’re reading this, that means you’ve come to the right place.

Christian Athlete Motivation – The First B: Breathe.

This blog is a space where you can take a deep breath (let’s do it together, take a deep breath –  inhale… and… exhale…) and prioritize getting sparks for your spirit. I mean, that’s the goal, right? If you’re lacking motivation, you’re lacking sparks.

If you’re lacking sparks, it’s helpful to go back to why you’re passionate about your sport and why your “fire” went out in the first place. However, before you do that, it’s important to calm your nervous system. That’s one reason why the first B for Christian Athlete Motivation is Breathe. When you take a deep breath, you’re calming your nervous system and resetting yourself.   

Now that you’ve taken a deep breath and calmed your nervous system, take time to answer the following:

• What is the sport or activity you are passionate about?
• What were the initial “sparks” that led to the fire you had for the sport?
• When did the fire start to flicker and fade?
• What were the circumstances that led to the fading of that fire?

As athletes, we thrive when our sparks turn to a burning, bright fire. That’s the other reason why the first B for Christian Athlete Motivation is Breathe. It’s the reminder that our fire needs oxygen to thrive and burn bright. So, before going to the next B, take another deep breath. 

Inhale

And

Exhale

The Second B: Be

Saint Catherine of Siena tells us, “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” I don’t want to downplay how challenging it can feel to lack motivation, but the cure to Christian Athlete Motivation is really that simple: Be who God meant you to be.

God didn’t create you to be anything other than yourself. He made you driven and purposeful and full of greatness. If you’ve lost sight of this truth because of a limited self-belief system or because of facing an adversity you didn’t see coming (or really because of anything else), it may be time to place yourself in God’s presence and let Him speak truth over you. Here are 3 scriptures that can help you hear His truth and BE who He created you to BE: 

• “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14
• “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” Jeremiah 1:5
• “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them.” Genesis 1:27

The Third B: Bold

The Third B might be my personal favorite B – BOLD. 

Once you BREATHE, you’re able to calm your nervous system and reignite your sparks. Next, as your sparks turn to a flame, you’re able to BE who God created you to be. Because of this, you can now go forward with BOLD confidence, set on fire with motivation. 

Breathe. 

Be.

Bold.

You got this! 

FAQ

On-Page FAQ

1. What should I do when I feel a lack of motivation as a Christian athlete?
Start by taking a deep breath to calm your nervous system and reset yourself. Reflect on what initially sparked your passion for your sport and what caused that fire to fade. This first step helps you regain clarity and focus.

2. How can I stay aligned with my purpose while pursuing athletic goals?
Focus on being who God meant you to be. Embrace your unique gifts and remember the truth found in scripture: you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), known before birth (Jeremiah 1:5), and created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Alignment with your purpose fuels long-term motivation.

3. How do I gain confidence and boldness in my athletic performance?
After breathing and embracing your God-given purpose, move forward with boldness. Boldness comes from reigniting your internal sparks, trusting in your identity, and taking intentional action toward your goals.

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Author:

Brandi Caswell

Faith-driven Fiery Beacon of Hope