TheRinger.com has an article out this week about how “The NFL’s Mindfulness Movement is Spreading,” and explains how more and more teams are incorporating sport psychology into their overall strategy.

Mindfulness training is being used by teams like the Falcons, Seahawks, Colts, and 49ers to help their players and coaches with mental clarity, meditation, awareness, stress, and worry.

We always hear how important the mental side of sports truly is, but many times we think this only has to do with being smart or having a high football IQ.

However, people are discovering how valuable it is for those involved with sports to take their mind seriously and understand how it affects their emotions and behavior. With all the pressure and stress of life and football, players have a lot to deal with and process mentally.

It’s fascinating to hear how the specific initiatives, efforts, and training for the mind are changing the perspectives of many people in the football world, as well as, having a great impact.

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn has seen the benefits in his own life and shared this with TheRinger.com:

“I was always this person that was looking to the next and the next. Sometimes, I think I missed out on the present moment, on the experiences I had and the jobs I had that were so much fun.”

In regard to his career path from assistant to coordinator to head coach, Quinn said, “[I was] always looking for something else…it’ll be better when…now, I don’t think in those terms. It’s more the culture of what we’re doing and staying in the moment for everybody and creating that environment and culture for them. I knew when I came to Atlanta, I was the one responsible for creating that culture and adhering to it.”

Quinn has placed a premium on the mental aspect of the Falcons’ culture, and realizes how the health and focus of the mind affect all areas of life, including football.

While we see the benefits of “mindfulness training” for football players and coaches, I hope we can see how similar strategies can be valuable for us as followers of Jesus, as we love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind.

There is great importance in considering how we think, what we think about, and how our emotions and view of life are affected. Are we meditating on scripture? Are we careful about the thoughts that are dominating our mind? Are we aware that stress and worry may be a result of what we’re dwelling on?

We could be missing out on joy and what’s happening in the moment because we’re allowing our mind to race and focus on the wrong things. But, God gave us our mind as an asset, and wants us to seek Him so that our thought life reflects Him.

The Bible says in Romans 12:2 (ESV), “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Paul encourages us with these words in Philippians 4:8 (ESV): “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize how important my mind is and I pray that You would renew mine, so that I can understand Your will and think clearly. I pray I would have a passion to meditate on scripture and think about the things that honor You. I need Your strength to win the battle of the mind. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.