Trusting God in the Midst of Pressure
Jenny Dow • November 4, 2024
Trusting God in the Midst of Pressure
We’ve all felt the pressure— to win, to keep the team on track, to balance life and coaching. But sometimes, that pressure can blind us to the bigger picture.
Last week we bought my dream car. It is a 1966 Ford Bronco; it is incredibly fun with a manual 3 on the tree transmission. I have thought of this moment since I was a teenager. I picked it up in Boyd, drove it home, and took the kids for a ride. The next morning, I got in the car, backed it out of the garage, and somehow lost any skill at driving a manual. This clutch and I were not in agreement on what I needed to do. I eventually drove it around the neighborhood, parked it, and had a small (not small) panic that I just made a huge mistake. I've definitely been saying some prayers that I will regain my ability and confidence in this car I've dreamed of for so long.
We’re looking at Luke 5 again this week, it is such a great example. We see Peter battling his frustration after a fruitless night of fishing. He knows that he knows how to fish, but when Jesus told him to try again, Peter obeyed, and the results were miraculous. Peter’s first response was to fall to his knees in recognition of who Jesus was. He realized the power of trusting Jesus, even when things didn’t make sense.
“But if you say so, I’ll let down the nets.” (Luke 5:5). This is the kind of faith God is calling us to—faith that obeys even when we feel empty or when the odds are stacked against us.
God often takes us to the end of ourselves, to run out of our own ideas, to be willing to listen to him.
This week, take a moment to ask yourself:
- Where do you feel pressured?
- Where is God asking you to trust Him again?
- He’s not asking for your perfection, just your willingness to say, “If You say so.”
Billings FCA Coaches
We’ve talked a lot about overflow, but being ready to lead also means stepping into boldness—especially when it feels uncomfortable. That’s something I’ve been reflecting on as I think about Peter and John in Acts 4. In Acts 4:13, we see how their boldness impacted others: “When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.” What stands out to me is that their boldness didn’t come from their credentials or expertise—it came from their time spent with Jesus. That encourages me, knowing that it’s not about having all the answers but about trusting in Him to lead me in those moments. Lately, I’ve been asking myself: Where is God calling me to lead boldly? For me, it’s often in the small, everyday interactions—being intentional with my words, addressing hard situations with integrity, or simply being consistent in living out my faith. I’ll be honest, it’s not always easy. But I’ve found that the more I lean into God’s presence, the more equipped I feel to take those steps. Maybe you’re in a similar place. If so, I encourage you to take a moment this week and ask: Where is God calling me to step into bold leadership? How can I reflect His love and truth in those moments? We’re in this together, Coach. Let’s keep leaning into boldness and trusting that God will meet us where we are.
As this season of reflection and growth winds down, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to truly be ready. Ready to lead, ready to serve, and ready to step boldly into the mission Jesus has called us to. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 has been on my heart, and I want to invite you to reflect on it through a Discovery Bible Study (DBS). Here’s how we’ll dive into it together: Read the Passage Aloud : “Then Jesus came near and said to them, ‘All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” Read It Again : Listen to the words again, letting them take root. Retell It : Try to retell the passage in your own words—what stands out? Reflect and Respond : What does this passage say about God’s mission for us? What does it say about my role as a leader and disciple-maker? How can I put this into action this week? Who needs to hear this encouragement? For me, this passage reminds me that the calling to make disciples isn’t just for a select few—it’s for all of us. It challenges me to think about how I’m using my influence to reflect Christ in my coaching and leadership. Take some time to sit with these questions. Let’s commit to being ready —not just in spirit, but in action.
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Coaching is such a rewarding journey, but let’s be honest—there are moments when it can feel isolating. The demands on your time, the weight of decisions, and the desire to give your best can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: you were never meant to do this alone. In Acts 2:42-47, we see a great of what community can look like: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together...they ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.” What stands out to me in this passage is the joy and strength that came from being together. The early church wasn’t just a gathering—it was a lifeline, a place where people found encouragement, hope, and spiritual refueling. This week, I want to encourage you to lean into the people God has placed around you. Whether it’s your fellow coaches, your family, your church, or your small group, take time to connect. Sometimes, just sharing your thoughts or hearing someone else’s story can remind you that you’re not walking this road alone. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that community doesn’t just happen—it takes intentional effort. But the rewards are worth it. I’ve been blessed by moments when someone’s encouragement or prayer came just when I needed it most. Have you experienced that too? Reflection Question: What’s one way you can intentionally connect with your community this week? How can those around you help refuel your heart and spirit? Praying that your connections this week fill you with renewed strength and joy, Jenny Dow
Coaching truly is a gift. It’s one of those unique callings where you get to pour into others, inspire growth, and shape lives. But if we’re honest, it’s also demanding. It’s easy to get so focused on everyone else’s needs that we forget to care for our own hearts. In Exodus 14:14, God speaks a powerful truth to His people: “The Lord will fight for you, and you must be quiet.” What a humbling reminder that we’re not meant to carry every burden or fight every battle alone. God is with us, working on our behalf, even when we feel stretched thin. This week, I want to encourage you to take a moment for yourself. Find time to pause, breathe, and rest in the assurance that God sees your hard work and is fighting for you. Whether it’s in the middle of practice, during a quiet moment at home, or even on your commute, let His presence remind you that you’re not alone. To be honest, there have been times when I’ve felt overwhelmed—trying to do it all and forgetting that God has already gone ahead of me. Those moments of surrender, when I’ve finally handed the pressure over to Him, have been some of the most freeing. What about you? Reflection Question: Where do you need to pause this week and let God fight for you? How might rest and trust in Him change the way you approach your coaching and your life? Praying for you and cheering you on, Jenny Dow
There’s a unique freedom that comes with obedience to Jesus. It is a kind of exhilaration that fills your heart when you step into the calling He’s placed on your life. Living boldly for Him isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about trusting that He will use you in ways far beyond what you could imagine. In Acts 4:13, Peter and John boldly shared their faith with the Jewish Sanhedrin, it says, “When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.” Their boldness wasn’t about their qualifications, it was about their closeness with Jesus. That same closeness is what empowers us to live courageously today. This week, lean into that freedom. Ask God to show you opportunities to share your faith, whether it is through your words or the way you love and lead your team. Each time you step out in obedience, you reflect the power of Christ in your life, and those around you take notice. There’s joy in knowing you’re walking in His purpose, and there’s power in the reminder that you’re never doing it alone. The same Spirit that gave Peter and John their boldness is with you, equipping you for whatever He’s calling you to. Reflection Question: What would it look like for you to step boldly into an opportunity this week? I’m praying for you as you lead and live boldly this week. That you experience the fullness of God’s presence and the freedom that comes with trusting Him. Cheering you on, Jenny Dow
This week, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, I wanted to take a moment to tell you how grateful I am for you. Your commitment to your athletes, your team, and your faith doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s clear to me that God is using you in powerful ways, and I’m thankful for the influence you have on those around you. I am reminded daily by friends November thankful posts that we are in the season of gratitude, I’ve been thinking on how thankfulness fills us up and prepares us to pour into others. When we’re full of God’s love, it spills over into our families, teams, and communities. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 says, “May the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you.” I can’t think of a more fitting reminder this week. What does it look like when your love overflows into the lives of those you lead? Take a moment to consider one person you could pour into this week. It might be an athlete who needs encouragement, a fellow coach, or even someone in your family. Let God’s love in you be the source that blesses them. I hope you find moments of rest and joy this Thanksgiving—whether that is around the table with loved ones or reflecting on God’s goodness in your life. I’m praying for you, Coach, as you continue to serve from a heart that overflows. Thankful for you, Jenny Dow
This week is a unique one—the space between seasons. It’s that brief pause between wrapping up the last and gearing up for the next. This week, I want to challenge you to use this in-between time to refuel your spirit. We know what it’s like to run on empty, especially after a full season of pouring into others. And as much as our athletes need physical rest and recovery, we also need spiritual refueling to stay strong in our calling. Ephesians 3:19 says, “And to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” This “fullness of God” is what truly replenishes us when we feel drained. It’s what equips us to head into a new season, ready to pour into others once again. So, this week, try and make it a priority to spend time with God—whether that’s through prayer, reading Scripture, or simply resting in His presence. Refuel in a way that renews your strength and steadies your spirit. Just as we wouldn’t let our athletes start a season without adequate rest and preparation, don’t begin this next chapter on an empty tank. Reflection Questions: As you prepare for a fresh season, where have you been feeling drained, and how can time with God renew your strength? What’s one way you can intentionally refuel your spirit this week to be ready for the challenges and blessings ahead? Remember, a full spirit is a gift to yourself and everyone you lead. Let God fill you up this week.
We live in a culture that’s all about wins and losses, and as much as we try to fight it, it’s easy to let the scoreboard start defining who we are. As coaches, the pressure never really lets up. Between managing practices, navigating team dynamics, and responding to parents' high expectations, we can start to feel like our worth is wrapped up in our record. But here’s the truth: our identity isn’t tied to our performance. It’s anchored in Christ. Ephesians 4:22-24 tells us to “take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self.” Our “new self” isn’t defined by wins or losses but by our relationship with Jesus. Think about Peter. He was a regular guy trying to do his best but often stumbling. He was crushed when he denied Jesus three times in a moment of fear. But Jesus didn’t leave Peter in his failure. After His resurrection, Jesus sought Peter out, offering forgiveness and restoring his purpose (John 21:15-17). Jesus didn’t see Peter for his mistakes but for his willingness to follow and trust again. We’re a lot like Peter. We might slip up, question ourselves, or feel the weight of the season pressing down. But Jesus meets us there with the same grace He showed Peter. He reminds us that our worth isn’t in the scoreboard but in who we are in Him. This week, focus on that. How does knowing your identity in Christ change how you coach, lead, and live? How might it impact how you handle a tough season or a challenging game? Remember that God sees beyond the score and calls us to a greater purpose. Reflection Questions: As a coach, where do you feel the pressure to measure up? How could releasing that pressure to Christ change the way you lead? Like Peter, is there an area in your life where you need to accept God’s grace and renewal? How might this impact how you interact with those around you?
