Shaken

Tebow reminisces about his profound disappointment when he was cut from the New England Patriots in 2013. Tebow had waited nervously to find out if he would remain on the team, hoping that his performance had been good enough to impress the coach, Bill Belichick, and the team owner, Robert Kraft. Tebow greatly respected Belichick and even turned down a million-dollar endorsement deal because Belichick did not want him to take it.

Tebow was devastated when the coach informed him he was cut from the team. He had wanted to train under quarterback Tom Brady, and he had tried to emulate him during his time on the team. He felt that their feedback was vague, and his mind raced with thoughts about how he could have earned their approval. In the previous year, Tebow had been traded from the Broncos to the New York Jets, who later let him go. These disappointments made Tebow feel insecure about his ability. However, he did not blame the coaches for his disappointment and instead blamed himself. Tebow worried about the news of his release from the team and was embarrassed by his failure. He felt angry with God that he had come so close to success only to be sidetracked. Tebow’s friends, parents, and siblings were supportive of him as he tried to overcome his disappointment. He followed the biblical scriptures which tell believers to embrace weaknesses and imperfection.

Tebow relocated to his friend Bryan’s house to avoid media attention, and he was upset by the criticism he received online. He had no other life plan or goal besides being a quarterback in the NFL and wondered how he should proceed. He received offers from other teams but none wanted him as a quarterback—his only dream in life. Tebow knew that he needed to train hard to improve his skills without attracting the media attention that teams disliked. He decided to move to California, where he trained with Tom House at the University of Southern California. Tebow felt unmoored, as he had no job, home, or car, and little idea of what the future held. He knew that he would only feel better if he meditated on the scriptures and trusted that God had plans for his future.

Tebow’s identity is based on being a “child of God” and he believes that God’s love provides a firm foundation for this identity, as is not dependent on his accomplishments (27). The author finds this comforting because God’s love “never fails” since it is “unconditional” and “eternal” (28). Tebow contrasts this godly love with human love, which can be conditional and temporary. The author coaches the reader to consider how they have constructed their own identity and questions if it depends on fickle things like friends, income, or status. He remembers how he had to resist the temptation to define himself as a failure, and similarly, had to reject the idea that he could be defined by his successes, too.

Tebow then shares Mark Stuart’s life story. Stuart was a successful singer for the band Audio Adrenaline until he was diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, a voice box disorder that ended his singing career. Despite this terrible setback, Stuart continued to be active in his philanthropic work, contributing to the band’s Hands and Feet project for Haitian orphans. Tebow admires how Stuart was buoyed by his faith and redirected his energies toward helping others.

The author believes that one’s identity and purpose in life are “intertwined” (36). He coaches the reader to believe that God has a purpose for their lives, asserting that by believing in God, they will be able to live out this purpose. Tebow reminds the reader that everyone experiences self-doubt sometimes and that having faith is more important than having material success. He recounts the parable of the loaves and fishes, in which Jesus managed to make food for thousands of people from several loaves of bread and two fish. Tebow believes that this story teaches how God can “do a lot with what we think is a little” (41). He encourages the reader to remember that whatever gifts they have, God can use them for good. He concludes his chapter by asking the reader to leave past failures and disappointments behind and look ahead to what they will do in the future.

Tebow asserts that pressure, like fear, can fill people with self-doubt and ultimately control their actions. While fear is a motivator for some, Tebow believes that love is a better motivator that leads to more meaningful accomplishments. He admires his dad’s ability to overcome fear and rely on love for others as a motivator. For instance, he and his wife moved their young family to the Philippines to become missionaries there. Tebow believes that love produces better actions than fear.

Tebow then discusses Chelsie Watts. As a teenager, Watts had to undergo cancer treatment after a sudden diagnosis in her last year of high school. Even though she endured numerous difficult surgeries and failing health, Watts “radiated love” and maintained her strong faith (53). Tebow reminisces about meeting Watts and feeling inspired and encouraged by her. The author felt that going through a difficult time made him more self-centered, and Watts reminded him of the power of faith to keep people “grounded” instead of fearful (56).

Tebow observes that being faithful is always easier during good times and that he has struggled to maintain his faith during difficult circumstances. He assures the reader that everyone has feelings and will struggle with fear and that being courageous means moving forward despite those feelings. He uses the biblical story about David and Goliath to illustrate his point, noting that David must have been fearful to face Goliath but maintained his faith and found courage. He concludes his chapter by urging the reader to “take courage” (63).