While on vacation in Hilton Head last year, one of the best things we did was play golf on the beach. We had friends who had gotten on the beach early and built these massive golf courses in the sand to keep the kids entertained for the day. My personality is that I can never be still. Sitting on the beach for me creates more ideas in my mind while trying to watch my kids and overthinking about being present at the moment (I’m crazy, I know). So playing golf and hanging with friends and our kids sounded amazing. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! For two days, my buddy and I dominated our 9-year-old sons and our wives in beach golf!
I had to hit a couple of big shots (everything is very competitive in our family, and we play to win) and reminded my 9-year-old that “pressure was my middle name,” which he always preceded to say, “No, Dad, it’s Jeffery.”
On the last putt of the day, my son and his friend had to make two hole-in-ones to force a playoff. His partner asked him if he wanted to go first, and he emphatically said, “I don’t want to go first!”
At that moment, I was taken aback. I couldn’t believe he was afraid and didn’t want the pressure. This was a great teaching moment for me to take advantage of as a dad. I told him we don’t run from pressure situations; we face them head-on! In life, we will face pressure so many times, and we just have to continue to move forward. I reminded him that he decided the outcome and that I loved him no matter what the outcome was.
Those thoughts hit me like a ton of bricks! Earlier that morning, I was called about some things at work that tried to ruin my day and definitely my morning. Something came up that was going to put more pressure on my team. It was going to add additional work for me, and my first thought was I needed to find a new job. I even looked at potential opportunities (close to the beach, of course).
God allows us to have these pressure situations because He has a purpose for us. Those pressure situations teach and prepare us for opportunities that require us to depend on Him. I was wrong! We really don’t decide the outcome, God does! And the great thing about it, it’s already decided!
We are reminded in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Pressure situations are created for God’s purpose in our lives and allow us to lean on the Creator of the Universe.
Now, my son did not go first. He actually had to take the second shot after his partner made a hole-in-one. As I watched my 9-year-old take a few deep breaths, he closed his eyes to pray, opened them, and nailed the ball for a hole-in-one to force a playoff! Then he and his partner proceeded to beat their dads in beach golf on the next hole.
- Daniel
About Daniel:
Daniel Tate is my (Brittany) handsome and adorable hubby. We've been married now for 12 years and have five beautiful children. Daniel works in Athletic Administration at Mercer University in Macon, GA (where you'll find our family at any college sports game on any given week/weekend). God has blessed me with an amazing man that loves Jesus and isn't afraid to share what God has done in his life. He has defined for me what tangible love is and points me to Jesus everyday.
Pressure situations aren't always easy to face, no matter how old you are. If you've walked through a time of tough pressure and can relate to Daniel's story let us know in the comments below.
Do the pressures of life often overwhelm you? Do you need a constant reminder to rest in the peace of Jesus? Our REST bracelet equips you with a prayer in the face of pressure, and serves as a reminder that God is your quiet place. Click the image below to shop our REST bracelet.
