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Key Bible Verse: "I, even I, am the one who comforts you" (Isaiah 51:12). Bonus Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:3–7

Texas calf ropers Stran Smith and Shawn McMullan had been inseparable since competing against each other at the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's 1995 National Finals Rodeo (NFR).

On August 17, 1996, the traveling partners had finished roping in Canby, Ore-gon, and were headed down the Interstate for a 7 A.M. performance in Heppner. With McMullan in the cab and Smith in the front of their horse trailer, they were struck by a drunk driving the wrong way without headlights.

McMullen was killed. "It was like part of me died with Shawn," Smith says. He struggled to sleep through the nights that followed. His winnings nose-dived, and he failed to qualify for the National Finals. Instead, Smith checked into a Christian retreat in Abilene, Texas.

"I did a lot of soul-searching," Smith says, "and realized I couldn't handle it on my own. I went to the altar and told the Lord, 'You're going to have to take this hurt and pain, 'cause I just can't deal with it.' Through the healing God gave that weekend, I can talk about the good times we had and the accident without it ripping me up inside."

He's begun to enjoy life again—and qualify for NFRs.

—Kyle Partain in Sports Spectrum

My Response: Something I can't handle on my own is …

Thought to Apply: When life becomes all snarled up, offer it to our Lord and let him untie the knots.
—Richardson Wright (author, 20th century)

Adapted from: Sports Spectrum (5/99) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Wise Father, keep me from getting sidetracked by setbacks. Instead, prod me to grow by overcoming them.

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