Faith & Football ~ Never Give Up!

Click the photo to view two short, but powerful, clips of two NFL greats who never gave up ~ Benjamin Watson & Derrick Coleman

______†______If I’d been born a boy, I’d probably be playing in the NFL right now, unless I was still destined to be 5′ 1″ — that might not work.

But, then again, why not.

Never give up.

NFL greats Benjamin Watson and Derrick Coleman never gave up, despite the fact that they couldn’t do what they did.

That’s one reason why they’ll be remembered forever in the annals of football and faith.

Derrick Coleman

When, as a young boy, school kids bullied Derrick Coleman, his mother told him, “Everything that you are is what God wanted you to be.”(†)

I like her.

Apparently, God wanted Coleman to be a great football player and a tremendous inspiration.

Seattle Seahawks Derrick Coleman overcame being legally deaf to do what most told him he couldn’t do, stating, “I’ve been deaf since I was three-years-old, so I didn’t listen.”

Duracell featured Coleman in one of their “Trust the Power Within” commercials. (See the clip below)

Coleman trusts in the power of God within him to overcome the obstacles and do what others say can’t be done. (†)

Benjamin Watson

When Benjamin Watson played for the , he faced a different physical challenge.

He faced the physical challenge of running over 120 yards to chase down , one of the fastest players in the NFL, and to make a touchdown-saving tackle on the 1-yard line.

It has to be seen to be believed! (Check out theclip below.)

No one on the field saw Watson coming. No one! Least of all Champ Bailey.

Watson did what couldn’t be done because he believed what his parents taught him: In everything you do, work at it with all your heart as for the Lord, not men. (Colossians 3:23)

Giving up was not an option.

And Watson didn’t just tackle Champ Bailey. He knocked him into next season.

It was the kind of tackle that made me a football fan as a young girl and sends me groping for the rewind button. (†††)

I may not be an NFL great, but I’ve learned the power of never giving up.

I’ve faced challenges in my walk of faith that have made me feel at times that, “I’ll just never learn. I’m destined to always be this way. Its’ just who I am.”

But God has graciously allowed me to face those same challenges over and over, until finally, I’ve come to believe that change is not only possible, it’s certain, because in not giving up, God has changed me.

God didn’t change my situation. He changed me.

And I’ve never felt better or stronger in my life, because I saw God do in me what I thought couldn’t be done.

God’s transforming power is available to everyone who’ll believe Him and never give up. Many of us come so close at times but stop short, when we would’ve made it if we just didn’t quit.

Are you facing a challenge today in your life that’s beyond your ability?

Then you’re in the perfect place to see God do the impossible in you.

Commit not to quit, and believe in God to display His power in you, in His way, in His timing, and for His glory.

Then stand strong.

The way may get tough, but don’t you quit.

Never give up! Never give up!

And now . . .

Bring on the !

Oh, and yes, that’s me in the photo at the top. Just living the NFL dream. I would’ve been tough!

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How have you experienced God’s transforming power? I’d love to hear your story. Share it in the comments.

And share this post with anyone who you think would be encouraged by Benjamin Watson’s and Derrick Coleman’s story.

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God loves to do the impossible in people who won’t give up on Him.

Football and Faith #NeverGiveUp – Powerful Video Clips of Benjamin Watson & Derrick Coleman Related Posts:

Click photo to view post: Love & Hate, Confessions of a Fanatic Fan Conformed to Christ Through Football

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Click photo to read the powerful story of Samkon Gado, who never let the facts interfere with the possibilities.

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CLICK to view Music Video: “Hope In Front of Me” by Danny Gokey

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† Quote taken from the article: Deaf Seahawk Fullback Derrick Coleman Breaks Sound Barrier . . . With His Fans

†† Derrick Coleman is currently on injured reserve with the Seahawks (foot injury) and thus will sadly not be playing in the 2015 Superbowl, but he’s a respected, influential member of the team, nonetheless.

††† Watson no longer plays for the Patriots, so you won’t see him playing in the 2015 Super Bowl either. He’s now a proud member of the .