Entrusting Ourselves to God
Aaron Faro – Messiah University Associate Head Coach Men’s Soccer
1 Peter 2:20–23
20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
As coaches, we sometimes face intense criticism—and even personal attacks. In our flesh, it’s natural to become defensive and argumentative. We want to defend our honor, our motives, and our decisions.
Few things have shaken me more in coaching than moments when my integrity was questioned. Those times have brought pain, confusion, and deep soul-searching. In some of those moments, I’ve recognized a genuine desire to be Christlike. But in others, it’s been painfully clear how much I care about what others think—and how ugly my sinful pride can be.
Thankfully, God has given us His Son, who is “the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His being” (Hebrews 1:3). If we desire to be godly, Jesus is the example we are to follow. In the 1 Peter passage above, the early church was under significant attack. Peter pointed believers to the example of Jesus to instruct them on how to respond.
During a recent trial, God kept bringing me back to these words from verse 21:
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
God has given us a model for how to respond. Verses 22–23 continue:
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”
We can trust our Heavenly Father. Whether the criticism comes from within our teams or from parents, administrators, colleagues, or fans, we are not alone. The Psalms are full of David’s struggles, and his words are a gift to us in our own hard seasons. Time and again, David entrusts himself to the One who judges justly, rather than taking matters into his own hands.
My natural tendency is to defend myself. But Psalm 62 is one of my favorite reminders of the peace found in resting in God. Here’s a powerful portion of that chapter that I pray encourages you when you’re tempted to retaliate or self-protect:
Psalm 62:5–8
5 Yes, I must find my rest in God.
He is the God who gives me hope.
6 It is surely true that he is my rock and the God who saves me.
He is like a fort to me, so I will always be secure.
7 I depend on God to save me and to honor me.
He is my mighty rock and my place of safety.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people.
Tell him all your troubles.
God is our place of safety.
Reflection Questions:
- As a coach, what is my natural first response to criticism or attack?
- What are some strategies for “entrusting” myself to God in those moments?
- What are some verses in Scripture I could memorize as weapons for the fight?
