Training for Godliness
“Train yourself for godliness. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things…”
- 1 Timothy 4:7-8
Every athlete understands this truth: what you do consistently shapes who you become eventually. Game day success isn’t random—it’s built through early mornings, lifts, film study, meetings, practices, recovery routines, and the quiet decisions you make when no one else is watching. During football season, you might wake up, head to a lift, sit through meetings, study film, practice for hours, and then end your day with more film or one more meeting. You give your mind and body everything they need to perform because you know Saturday is coming. Now think about this spiritually. If physical discipline prepares you for the field, spiritual discipline prepares you for life. You can be in the best shape of your life, but if your spirit is weak, discouragement, pressure, and temptation will hit you harder than any defensive end ever could.
Right now, life may feel amazing—awards, recognition, momentum, encouragement. And praise God for that. But what happens the moment things shift? What happens when you throw an interception late in the game, or get criticized on social media, or feel the weight of letting your team down? What happens when pressure, disappointment, or failure come? That’s where spiritual training shows its power.
This is why your identity must be rooted in Jesus—not in football, not in performance, not in what people say, and not in how well you’re doing today. Football can change overnight. People’s opinions can shift instantly. But Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.Spiritual disciplines are the daily habits that build that unshakable identity.
Here are some examples:
Starting your morning with prayer instead of scrolling.
Having a plan for where you’ll read in Scripture each day rather than hoping you find the time.
Using a devotional that helps guide your focus.
Joining an FCA, campus ministry, or team Bible study so you’re surrounded by like-minded believers.
Setting aside time each night to reflect on how you saw God move that day.
These habits aren’t about checking boxes. They’re about training your soul, just like you train your body so when life blindsides you, you don’t fall apart. When you’re spiritually anchored, you respond differently. You bounce back differently. You lead differently. And remember this: your influence goes far beyond your own emotions. People, teammates, coaches, and friends are always watching how you handle pressure. Your response to success and failure can either point people to Jesus or point them elsewhere. If you build strong spiritual disciplines now, you’ll be prepared to handle both the mountaintops and the valleys, on the field and off.
Reflection Questions
What spiritual disciplines do I currently practice—and which ones are missing?
When life gets hard, where do I naturally run: to God or to something else?
How has my view of identity been shaped more by sports or by Jesus?
Application
Take a moment and write down 3 spiritual disciplines you want to commit to this week. Choose intentionally, and keep them simple:
Morning Prayer: Before doing anything else, take 2–3 minutes to thank God, surrender the day, and ask for His strength.
Bible Reading Plan: Choose a reading plan or ask someone to help you pick one. Decide what you’ll read each morning or night.
Community: If your campus has FCA, a Bible study, or a team chaplain gathering, commit to showing up once a week. Don’t walk this journey alone.
Encouragement Habit: Text one person each day with a Scripture or prayer. Encouraging others strengthens you too.
Write your three in your Notes app or journal—and be consistent.
Prayer
Lord, teach me to train my spirit the way I train my body. Give me discipline, consistency, and hunger for You. Root my identity so deeply in Jesus that no mistake, no praise, no loss, and no pressure can shake me. Strengthen me through daily habits that draw me closer to You. Make me a leader who stands firm, responds with faith, and shines Your light—on my team, on my campus, and in every part of my life. Amen.