Unlock Your Inner Champion with These 6 Spiritual Lessons from the Olympics

You can’t control life’s outcome. The entire nation, if not the world, watched Simone Biles receive one gold medal, another gold medal, and another gold medal again. It wasn’t until her floor routine that she received a silver medal- it has been amazing to witness. Biles has been a model for so many in mental health and rest. The point is, you can practice, rest, and be the GOAT but still stumble at times. What we learn from Biles (and many other gymnasts) is from her amazing attitude. Through it all, she exceeded her own expectations, supported her teammates, and smiled broadly no matter the outcome. As we approach difficulties in life, challenges big and small, all we can do is our very best, then we must release the outcome to God, trusting Him for the end result. Romans 8:28 assures us that “God works all things for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to him purpose.” So we can trust that though we cannot control the outcomes of life, we can trust God through it all.

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There is always another approach to life’s challenges. It was amazing to watch these sport climbers, like Janja Garnbret from Slovenia, approach the conspicuous wall with inconspicuous holds and somehow climb to the top, moving body and muscles in bewildering, stretching, and deeply impressive ways. Each time Garnbret couldn’t grab hold or figure out the right move, she would start over, approaching the challenge from a new angle or in a different way.  

“And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13

This scripture explains that when we are tempted, God always provides a way out so we can stand up under it. In other words, God provides a different move or new way to approach a battle when we need it most.

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Community makes all the difference. One of the most incredible things about cycling, after watching Kristen Faulkner dominate the race and win the gold, was watching the various riders draft one another. They took turns in the lead, allowing others to follow behind, and in this way, preserved each other’s energy- as race-mates. These weren’t even teammates in most instances, just fellow racers- working together. Then, when they broke off and raced to the finish, they did so knowing they had helped out their community. In fact, so many competitors this year have faithfully cheered each other on. (If you haven’t seen it, check out Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles cheering on Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade at the medal ceremony when Andrade took home the gold - a wonderful display of sportsmanship). It’s a beautiful metaphor for life: we can go further with each other. And we can be people willing to share all the resources we have to further someone else along in their journey. This is similar to what Galatians 6:2 tells us: 

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

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Focus on what matters. While not an Olympic event, one of my favorite parts of the Olympics is watching the medalists, like 100-meter champion, Noah Lyles, look for their family and friends the moment they learn they will receive his medal. Almost more than the medal itself, it’s the love and support of the people around them that is the real prize. In the same way, we can spend our lives chasing material goods or things we think will fulfill us, but it’s the love of our community, neighbors, friends, and family that truly makes life matter. Colossians 3:16, 

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one other with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”

This scripture reminds us that being in a community and supporting “one another” is how we run our spiritual race well and how we live for what matters in life.

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Refuse to give in and let God carry you. I don’t think anyone who watched it will soon forget Cole Hocker’s incredible race to the gold. He said, “I let God carry me to the finish line,” in an interview right after the race. One sports analyst remarked about Hocker, “He refused to give in.” What an incredible truth. So often our spiritual journey is a paradox of partnership with God. God carries us, while we partner with God, refusing to give up during our race. There is joy on the other end of this kind of incredible life with God. 

“Let us throw off every weight that hinders and the sin that easily entangles.” - Hebrews 12:2. 

We do that in partnership with God, not in our own strength. Like Hocker, we can let God carry us.

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Joy carries you a long way. Admittedly, our family was mostly entertained by watching Snoop Dog become equestrian-adjacent as he watched the horses dance in this event. But what we have learned from Snoop throughout his Olympics and from the dancing horses—along with other smiling Olympic contenders—is that joy can take you a long way. Proverbs 17:22 tells us:

“A cheerful heart is good medicine.”

This is true of the Olympics and of life. Choosing joy, hope, meaning, and delight, even when things feel difficult, scary, or challenging, can be the difference between thriving and despair.

We will keep watching these events until the closing ceremonies and will certainly pick up more spiritual and life lessons along the way. This is why the Bible so often compares our faith journey to that of an athlete’s race (see eleven times Christians are compared to Olympic athletes); there is so much to learn from athletics. As we run the race of life, we can model some of the sportsmanship we learn from the Olympics and use these lessons to spur us on to the finish line.

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