Olympian Sydney McLaughlin Says Time in the Spotlight Is ‘Such a Test of Faith’
By Movieguide Staff
Recent Olympic Gold medal winner and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin recently shared a candid video on her Instagram about how Christ is growing her through the testing of her faith.
At just 21 years old, the track and field star took home her first Olympic gold in the women’s 400m hurdles and broke the world record with a time of 51.46. However, McLaughlin used her platform to share her love for Christ and give all the glory to God.
But McLaughlin revealed that the time in the spotlight is a “test of her faith.”
“I recorded this video two days after the Olympic Trials, with the intention of venting my frustration. Watching it back now, I feel there is a deeper message than just my emotions that I think others may need to hear,” she captioned the emotional video on Instagram. “Even in success, there can be pain. Even in triumph, there can be tribulations. But how you respond, and the lens in which you view those situations provides an opportunity for growth and change.”
“I am beyond grateful for everything that has taken place this year. But the thing I am most grateful for, is a renewed mind that has allowed for me to look at a video like this, and see the changes Christ is doing in my life,” she added.
In the video, McLaughlin notes that despite her accomplishments and “doing everything right,” she is discouraged by the way friends, family, and others have denied the truth she is speaking about God and disrespected her achievement on the field because of it.
“Even in this season of such growth, it’s just still such a test of faith. Not even three days ago I achieved one of my life’s dreams of breaking the world record,” she said. “And I’m gonna be honest, a lot of the people around me did not respond how I thought they would.”
“I couldn’t understand two years ago why I wasn’t there, why I was falling short, why things weren’t going right, and I honestly think God just said it wasn’t my time. He needed me to mature; in my relationship with Him is just who I am as a woman… before He could give me this heavy load to carry,” she added: “He knew I needed Him in order to carry it… I felt like the people I thought would be the most excited for me, literally almost didn’t even care.”
McLaughlin added that even though she did “everything right” on and off the field, people still hate her because of her message.
“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.”
McLaughlin also encouraged those listening that true peace and rest are only found in Jesus.
“Humans, we were not made to carry so much weight,” she explained. “We were not made to carry so much attention on us, we were not made to be famous. That was never what God intended for us guys, ever. The only person who is strongest to carry that is Jesus.
“When I say I am grateful. I am grateful for the platform, and I’m grateful to be able to reach people. But I don’t want it. When I tell you I don’t want fame, I don’t want any of that, it’s toxic. It physically makes me sick,” she added, noting the anxiety she felt getting on social media after breaking the world record.
McLaughlin concluded by noting that she does not care if those who hate her agree with her message, but that they respect her hard work.
“I can’t control what color my skin is, I can’t control who presses the follow button, but I can control what I do on that track, and that’s the thing that doesn’t get the respect and it blows my mind,” she said, referencing past teammates and even family members.
“It’s a sick world, there’s so much good in this world but there’s so much sickness,” she concluded. “I pray for healing, I really hope that people can see that they don’t have to live in this world of hate. There’s such a better way.”
McLaughlin ended the Instagram caption by referencing Psalms 32:3, which reads: “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.”
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CS7GrUagyHC/
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
