Olympian Sydney McLaughlin Turns to Jesus for Strength: ‘He Is Greater Than The Storm’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Olympic athlete and outspoken Christian Sydney McLaughlin took to Instagram to inspire her followers using images from a workout she completed in a swimming pool. McLaughlin compared her experience to being overcome by water in a storm. The striking photographs show McLaughlin submerged in water attacking the exercises with a determined face while dressed in full workout clothes and shoes.
These pictures go so much deeper than a pool workout from four months ago. One thing I’m learning about Jesus, is no matter how deep you feel the water below you is, He is stronger than the wave. He sees the full picture. In our strengths and flaws, He sees all. There is grace, without affirmation in the wrong, to call us higher. To call us to where He is. I personally, struggle at times with seeing situations from His lens, especially with what’s going on in the world. But somehow, His words and the spirit being peace to my soul because no matter how hectic the torrents of life may get, He is greater than the storm. ?
“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalms 46:10 NIV
The track and field champion was named by Movieguide® as one of 8 Olympic Medalists Who Give Glory to God and has never been shy about her Christian faith. McLaughlin often shares inspirational posts and videos on her social media channels.
As reported by Movieguide®, she spoke to fans in a special message recorded just after the Olympic trials before taking home her first Olympic gold medals in the women’s 400m hurdles and 4×400 relay at the 2020 Tokyo games:
“This season, it has been such a test of my faith, because even in a moment where I should’ve made everything about me, I gave it to God. But people reject truth, and I know they aren’t rejecting me, they are rejecting Jesus living in me, which is fine, but if I’m being honest sometimes my flesh has a problem with that,” she said.
Despite McLaughlin’s confession of not understanding why past teammates and even family did not respect her, she said it is comforting to know that her identity is in Christ and not human approval.
“I am so grateful that I have a relationship with God in the way that I do because without it I think I would be going crazy right now,” she said. “I could do nothing, to so many people, and that offends them. I can post everything right, I can say everything right, I can do everything right, I can mind my business, and it offends people.
“I’m so grateful I don’t live for the approval of people anymore, because moments like this would have me down for about three weeks, of not understanding why some of my family, why some of my closest friends aren’t more happy for me in this moment,” she continued. “Why people that you thought were your supporters are finding ways to throw shots at you… can never just have a moment to celebrate and breathe. But I am so grateful I don’t live for that anymore, because if I did my tank would be so empty.”
Movieguide® reported in January about McLaughlin’s engagement announcement and how Jesus is the center of her relationship with fiancée Andre:
“Andre is like one of the best things that ever happened to me,” she said. “Beyond being such an amazing friend, he’s such a great man of God. He’s helped me in my walk and has always constantly encouraged me in that. And it’s been such an amazing thing just to have him as an example of what it means to live a life like Jesus. And truly, that’s what attracts me to him the most.”
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