Shaken

“When you know this, you will find hope. Your faith will be strengthened. Light will shine on your dark places. You will appreciate how uniquely God made you. And you can even help someone on the way.”

The author argues that feeling connected to God and rooting one’s identity in faith will bring people hope. This passage adds to Tebow’s theme of The Intersection of Identity and Purpose, highlighting how faith can help people build a positive relationship with themselves and others.

“I wanted the chance to impress Coach Belichick more than I wanted the money. I’ll say that if I were on any other team, I would have probably said yes to the offer. But the thoughts he offered in our initial conversation mattered to me—even more than a million dollars.”

The author recalls turning down a lucrative endorsement out of respect for his coach’s wishes. This passage gives the reader a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Tebow’s career, while also portraying Tebow as someone who is focused on his work.

“When your world is shaken, when the plans and dreams you’ve created, perhaps even banked on, get obliterated, when the path on which you walk is moving in an unknown and a particularly unwanted direction, what do you do? […] I remembered the things my mom had always said to encourage me when I was down, like ‘God has big plans for you Timmy; just wait on him.’”

This quotation reveals how Tebow’s perspective has been influenced by his mother, who encouraged his Christian faith. By discussing the challenges everyone faces, and offering faith as a solution, Tebow adds to his theme of The Role of Faith in Stability.

“But instead of doing what I wanted to do or even felt like doing, I chose to work. I chose to train. I chose to keep going and fight tooth and nail for my dream.”

The author characterizes himself as a hard worker and credits his training regimen for helping him to recover his career goal of being a quarterback, even after being cut by several teams. This quotation shows how, in addition to prayer and devotional studies, Tebow used hard work to overcome challenges.

“But who I am is based on God. No one can take this foundation away from me. I know this to be true, and while I am often reminded, I aim to live by these truths every day.”

The author shares that his identity is rooted in his faith and belief in God, which provides him with peace of mind and a sense of stability. This passage bolsters his themes of The Intersection of Identity and Purpose and The Role of Faith in Stability, showing how his secure identity as a Christian motivates Tebow to purposefully live out certain values and beliefs.

“The tough times and trials we go through are real and painful. […] It’s not over for you. Wherever you are in life, this can be a beginning.”

The author strikes a compassionate and motivating tone as he assures the reader that they can recover from “tough times” and live well again. This comforting passage develops Tebow’s relationship with the reader as he addresses them directly with an inspiring message.

“Fear can push or motivate you to do things, sometimes even good things, but it will never take you as far as love can take you.”

Tebow coaches the reader to allow their actions to be motivated by love, rather than fear. This passage encourages the reader to reflect on which thoughts or emotions are behind their own life decisions, and how they might become more motivated by love.

“While tasked with tending the sheep in the fields, he developed his relationship with God. And as a result of working his faith out, David was able to push aside his fears and crush every giant in his path—the lion, the bear, and Goliath.”

The author grounds his arguments about faith and identity in the scriptures. He uses the story of David and Goliath to demonstrate how having faith can give people courage, motivation, and desire to do the right thing.

“We need to stop being deceived by the negative words others say against us. And we need to stop saying negative things about others. The criticizing, the name-calling, the complaining - none of this adds value, to others or to ourselves.”

Tebow regards negativity and criticism as something to avoid. This passage helps the author distinguish between empty criticism and constructive feedback and encourages the reader to consider how they react to other’s opinions. This discussion ties in with Tebow’s theme of The Intersection of Identity and Purpose, as he insists that he has always tried to ignore criticism and base his identity on his faith and actions rather than others’ perceptions of him.

“The best way to battle your inner critic is to grow, to change, to show progress in your areas of struggle.”

Tebow coaches the reader to improve themselves in small, concrete steps and to quiet their self-criticism. This approach reflects Tebow’s philosophy of dealing with challenges through work and self-improvement.

“I chose to return to the state I was in before I was released, the place of peace, when I held on to my faith that God was in control, no matter what happened. Though I wasn’t thrilled with the outcome, I made the choice, yet again, to believe that God really, really, really had this.”

When Tebow was cut from yet another team, he made a conscious choice to trust that God had a plan for his future. This quotation shows Tebow living out his own advice to have faith that disappointments and obstacles are an intended part of God’s plan.

“God isn’t scared of your questions. Bring them to Him. It’s better to vent to him than run from him. But just like I’ve talked about earlier, just like we have to strive to live above our feelings, we must strive to live above our doubts, above our questions.”

In this passage, Tebow characterizes God as a forgiving and compassionate figure. In order to trust his plan, the author argues that believers should cope with their doubts and questions. This passage connects to Tebow’s argument about The Role of Faith in Stability, as he implies that only by trusting God will people feel more stable and secure than if they question his will.

“While we can choose to trust God and still wrestle with doubt, we cannot trust him while holding on to bitterness. Bitterness and trust cannot coexist.”

This claim challenges the reader to consider how they may feel embittered by certain disappointments and if they could overcome this bitterness with their faith. Tebow’s rejection of bitterness affirms that believers should feel positivity and hope about their futures.

“Inspired by these boys, I envisioned someone holding the hand of a hurting child, and another getting help to fill the need. For this is what Sherwin’s two friends did.”

The author reminisces about how he was inspired by Sherwin, a Filipino boy he met on a missionary trip, and Sherwin’s loyal friends. This anecdote reveals the roots of Tebow’s foundation, which helps kids who, like Sherwin, live with disabilities. The Importance of Helping Others is reinforced through Tebow’s organization, among other anecdotes. This passage also highlights the importance of loyal and loving friends.

“But I depend on this tight-knit bunch of family and loved ones for more than just hearing encouragement or support. They help bring me clarity when I’m stuck on a decision. And they tell me the truth, even if I don’t want to hear it.”

Tebow reflects on how his friends and family support him emotionally and help his personal growth. This passage supports Tebow’s argument that people should ask for help and encouragement when they need it. Tebow suggests that good friends can not only offer support but also help each other grow in God.

“When we strive to be just like everyone else, we never have a chance to be special. When you embrace and even celebrate how special and different God made you, you can begin to do extraordinary things.”

Tebow persuades the reader that normalcy is not an ambitious goal and to embrace their differences and unique gifts instead. By making this argument, the author reminds the reader to find their identity in faith and God’s plan for them, including their God-given natural talents and abilities.

“Instead of wanting to be like someone else, make the most of your talents. […] Use what He has given you. Hone your skills. Work on them.”

In this passage, Tebow combines his life philosophy of hard work and self-improvement with his beliefs in God’s design and plan for each person. By coaching people to work on their skills, Tebow suggests that believers should collaborate with God through their actions, not just their beliefs.

“Standing up is a way of life. Pay attention to opportunities where you can make a positive difference.”

The author urges the reader to “pay attention” to any way they can help others, no matter how small or trivial it may seem. This advice bolsters Tebow’s theme of The Importance of Helping Others, as he coaches the reader to live by their values of kindness and love through their actions.

“Whenever you dare to do something different, critics of some sort are bound to show up. […] Don’t let this keep you on the sidelines, away from participating in God’s greater plan.”

Tebow adds to his theme of The Role of Faith in Stability by urging the reader to stay strong despite others’ criticisms and negativity. According to Tebow, people should stay focused on God’s plan and not be distracted by criticism.

“Don’t limit what He can do based on how you limit yourself. […] The little things we do each day add up to something greater, something we will ultimately leave behind.”

The author keeps his advice practicable and relatable by coaching the reader to embrace small actions and changes. This advice grounds Tebow’s message in realism and encourages the reader to consider what small acts they could do to live out their values.

“There may be times when you feel drawn to someone to encourage or pray for, but there are plenty of times when that feeling isn’t there. It’s still just as important to do the right thing.”

Tebow questions the practice of waiting for clear signs from God and instead suggests that taking positive action is always “the right thing.” This argument supports Tebow’s theme of The Importance of Helping Others, as he implies that this behavior is always Christian and loving, and people do not need specific direction from God to do so.

“You can start right now. Look around. Do you know someone who might need encouragement? Or see someone who might need a hand? Take a step of faith and do something for that person.”

Tebow continues his discussion about small acts of kindness by urging the reader to take action in whatever way they can. In making these suggestions, Tebow emphasizes that faith is only a force for good if it is reflected in people’s actions.

“I want my life to speak louder than a world record. I don’t just want to leave a legacy on the field. I want to live off the field in a way that outlives me. I want my love for God and for others to shine greater than an incredible comeback moment, a heavy gold trophy, or a handful of favorable headlines.”

Tebow emphasizes how his faith is the foundation of his identity and purpose in life and explains his desire to have a positive impact on others. This passage shows Tebow’s commitment to his philanthropic efforts and his desire to live his values.