Olympic Track Star Gave God Her Fear. It Changed Her Life
By Movieguide® Contributor
Four-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is sharing how surrendering her emotions to God changed her outlook on life.
“You know, for so long kind of those emotions consum[ed] who I was in terms of just being afraid of my results being tied to who I was and my identity,” McLaughlin-Levrone said of emotions that, at one time, inhibited her ability to run at an elite level. “You know, my value being found in whether or not I was a winner and whatnot, so a lot of fear over the years.”
“But you know, Christ has been kind and helping set me free from that and allowing me to walk, and in this case, run in faith. But those emotions can definitely lead to some dark places if they don’t have anything to be rooted in,” she explained.
Podcast host and author Jennie Allen asked the athlete what it looked like for her to “run from fear to faith.”
“It honestly looked like surrendering my life to the Lord,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. “The Lord was kind to reveal Himself to me through the Gospel, being a renewed creation and setting your mind on things above, like Colossians 3 says. The word really just washed me clean of a lot of those thoughts and feelings and emotions that I had, and it’s my source now of how I overcome fear.”
Since giving Christ her fear, McLaughlin-Levrone has not shied away from using her platform to share the Good News.
Movieguide recently reported:
In an interview with Fit For The King, the track-and-field star discussed how she balances physical training with spiritual training.
“More so now than ever, but I think growing up the idea of perseverance and working towards a goal and every day becoming better and wanting to learn, I truly believe that coincides so much with my walk with God and pushing towards hearing the ‘Well done my good and faithful servant,’” she began.
McLaughlin-Levrone then quoted 1 Corinthians 10:31, which reads, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
“I think that…now motivates me in track. I don’t think I was as aware of it growing up, but I do believe that they work so well together, and I can truly see God in my running and in my performances,” McLaughlin-Levrone said.
Her success at the 2024 Olympics was just another opportunity to praise God.
She took home two golds: one for her world-record-breaking 400-meter hurdle event and another for the women’s 4×400 meter relay.
“It never ceases to amaze me how powerful He is to help those who trust in Him overcome the battles within,” McLaughlin-Levrone posted. “His word is sufficient, His promises hold true, and all the glory belongs to Him. 🙏🏽🙌🏽❤️ At the end of the day it is FAR beyond gold.”
