Ready:
“Test me, LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.” — Psalm 26:2 “…humans see what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7
Set:
Before Jackie Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers, executive Branch Rickey met privately with him to discuss the pressure he would face breaking MLB’s color barrier. Rickey warned that opponents would taunt him, fans would shout threats and racial slurs would echo from the stands. Then Rickey asked a question Robinson never forgot: “Do you have the guts not to fight back?”
Rickey was looking for a man whose heart was deep enough and skin thick enough to endure pressure without responding in anger. As Christians, both men knew the decision was about more than baseball—it was about faith, character and the motives behind Robinson’s actions. Robinson signed. Pressure mounted immediately and continued for years. He later reflected on his guiding purpose: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”
Questioning his own motives, David wrote, “Test me, LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.” In hindsight, David invited God to review his motives. But God doesn’t only review the past, He trains our motives for the next decision. When Samuel searched for Israel’s next king, God reminded him: “The LORD looks at the heart.” Together these truths reveal how God sharpens His people for pressure-packed moments. Pressure provides post-game feedback. Pressure demands pre-game alignment. For David, Samuel, Rickey and Robinson, pressure refined the motives behind their actions.
Athletes know pressure exposes motives. It reveals the heart behind our reactions. Why did trash talk trigger anger? Why did someone else’s recognition create resentment? Why did embarrassment reject a coach’s correction?
Gut-reactions can dominate. Pride retaliates. Frustration complains. Ego avoids responsibility. That’s why spiritual training and formation matter. The Holy Spirit trains hearts through Scripture, prayer, and encouragement from other believers. The deeper question—before your reaction surfaces—is the motive behind your response. Pressure reveals motives. Christ reshapes them.
Go:
Think about a recent gut-reaction moment. What did it reveal about your motives?
Do you ever rethink your motives after conflicts? Scripture, prayer, and encouragement from teammates help align our motives with God’s coaching.
What would it look like for the Holy Spirit to train your motives with restraint and purpose?
Workout:
Overtime:
“My God and my Coach, You see the motives of my heart even when others only see my actions. Examine me and shape my desires so my reactions reflect Christ—not self-centered pride. Amen.”