Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (James 1: 2,3) (NIV)
From the pinnacle of success to the depths of despair, Trent Dilfer, quarterback for the National Football League's Seattle Seahawks, has experienced it all. His personal and professional lives have seen times of great triumph --- and of even greater tragedy. "God has become so much bigger through these times," says Dilfer. "His grace has abounded beyond anything I ever thought I could experience."
The Dilfer family continues to deal with the loss of their son Trevin, who after battling a heart ailment, went to be with the Lord in the spring of 2003 at the age of five. It was the type of experience that can leave many questioning God.
"I've never stopped to ask, 'Why?,'" adds the veteran quarterback. "We just ask what He wants us to learn from this and how He wants to use this. And He has been faithful times a million."
Dilfer's football career has brought him to the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. The sixth overall pick in the 1994 draft, Dilfer spent his first six years in Tampa Bay. With the Buccaneers, he became the team's second all-time leading passer and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl. In 2000, he joined Baltimore and quarterbacked the Ravens to the Super Bowl XXXV championship.
"Winning the Super Bowl was great and it was fun and I enjoyed every moment of it, but it's a small moment in time compared to the gift of eternal life and what we have in Christ," says Dilfer, who saw countless teammates left unfulfilled in the wake of Super Bowl success. "Nothing fills the void except Christ. People hear that all the time, but it's true."
Before even receiving his title ring, Dilfer was released by the Ravens and signed by the Seahawks. His tenure in Seattle was marked with several injuries, and he was relegated to, mostly, a back-up role.
"I believe that God has allowed football to go that way in my life so that I trust Him more," adds Dilfer. "I have really struggled with pride throughout my life, and if football would have come easy for me I would not have followed Him and trusted Him the way I needed to. And He, by His love, has allowed me to go through some hard times so I would be dependent on Him completely."
Through it all, Dilfer has found one teammate he can always depend on --- Jesus Christ.
This post was written by Doug Greengard. For the original post, go to: http://www.commongroundchristiannews.com/jan2005/ChristianSportsReport.html
From the pinnacle of success to the depths of despair, Trent Dilfer, quarterback for the National Football League's Seattle Seahawks, has experienced it all. His personal and professional lives have seen times of great triumph --- and of even greater tragedy. "God has become so much bigger through these times," says Dilfer. "His grace has abounded beyond anything I ever thought I could experience."
The Dilfer family continues to deal with the loss of their son Trevin, who after battling a heart ailment, went to be with the Lord in the spring of 2003 at the age of five. It was the type of experience that can leave many questioning God.
"I've never stopped to ask, 'Why?,'" adds the veteran quarterback. "We just ask what He wants us to learn from this and how He wants to use this. And He has been faithful times a million."
Dilfer's football career has brought him to the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. The sixth overall pick in the 1994 draft, Dilfer spent his first six years in Tampa Bay. With the Buccaneers, he became the team's second all-time leading passer and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl. In 2000, he joined Baltimore and quarterbacked the Ravens to the Super Bowl XXXV championship.
"Winning the Super Bowl was great and it was fun and I enjoyed every moment of it, but it's a small moment in time compared to the gift of eternal life and what we have in Christ," says Dilfer, who saw countless teammates left unfulfilled in the wake of Super Bowl success. "Nothing fills the void except Christ. People hear that all the time, but it's true."
Before even receiving his title ring, Dilfer was released by the Ravens and signed by the Seahawks. His tenure in Seattle was marked with several injuries, and he was relegated to, mostly, a back-up role.
"I believe that God has allowed football to go that way in my life so that I trust Him more," adds Dilfer. "I have really struggled with pride throughout my life, and if football would have come easy for me I would not have followed Him and trusted Him the way I needed to. And He, by His love, has allowed me to go through some hard times so I would be dependent on Him completely."
Through it all, Dilfer has found one teammate he can always depend on --- Jesus Christ.
This post was written by Doug Greengard. For the original post, go to: http://www.commongroundchristiannews.com/jan2005/ChristianSportsReport.html
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