As an athlete your always taught to overcome adversity in every game-like situation. I got to experience this first hand my junior year of college playing football at Georgia Southern University. My name is Matt Wise and this is my story. I was really looking forward to my junior year at GSU. It all started in the summer prior to my junior year. The biggest blessing that summer was a team chaplain impacting my life for Christ. Everything started falling into place after I surrendered Lordship to Christ. I knew what my purpose was in life was, and I couldn't wait to glorify God on the field with my talent he had given me. The season started with no worries and for the first six games, life was great. I started every game at defensive end with hopes set high on a conference championship and making 1st team All-Socon. The biggest game of the year was against our conference rivals Appalachian State who upset Michigan earlier that season. It was our 7th game and I was ready to shine, but God had a different plan. During the 1st quarter of the game as I went to make a tackle a offensive lineman fell on my shoulder causing it tear almost every muscle, ligament, and tendon in it. My promising season and career playing football came to a devastating end. We went on to victory that game but it was a bittersweet win. The trainers and doctors told me that I'll be lucky to even throw a football again. I was in shock. I couldn't understand how God would let this happen to me. I just surrendered Lordship to him this past summer and I thought I was finally in His will. Adversity that I never expected in my life just blindsided me like never before. At first I was in shock and angry at God. I started to ask why and then God showed me two verses that changed everything. The verses were Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future", and Proverbs 3:5&6," Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." I remember just saying to God, "Ok, you said in your word that your plans are not to harm me but to give me a hope and future so I'm going to trust on your promises LORD." The verses in Proverbs also comforted me to know that if I did trust in the LORD with all my heart and acknowledged Him, He would make my paths strait. It was just what I needed, because my own understanding was telling me to be angry with God for letting this happen to me. I trusted in Him and His word.I went through three surgeries and numerous hours in physical therapy to rehab my shouder.I never doubted God after he spoke to me through those verses,and I trusted He had bigger plans for me as I enduredand went through all the physical and emotional pain .Seven months after my injury God started to reveal His plans for me.My senior year of college I was a student assistant coach and since I did not play God openedthe doors for me to start taking a bigger role in our team Bible studies.More than the games I looked forward to sharing the word and Christ at the Bible studies to my fellow teammates each week during the season.As the season came to an end God opened more doors and what started as my passion through the team Bible studies came full circle as I came on staff with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Georgia SouthernUniversity January 2009. I serve as the Campus Representative and team Chaplain for football.As I lookback on what God has done in my life I realize that the adversity he gave me was a blessing in disguise.If I never got hurt I would not be doing what I am now and I praise God for that injury.God had plans for me to prosper and he made my paths strait. He never did forsake me.He was with me the whole time.Through Him and His word I overcame adversity.I challenge you if you are facing some type of adversity in your life Trust in God and His word just like I did! Cling to the same verses he revealed to me and know that he has plans to prosper you and make all your paths strait! By the way.I can throw a football just fine now! Our God is and AWESOME God!
Matt Wise
GSC/FCA Campus Representative |
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