Sports can make for healthy competition, which spurs creativity, increases focus, and mutually sharpens gifts. Nevertheless, one way we deal with competition Christianly is through the countercultural practice of cultivating joy, even in defeat. In stark contrast to worldly thinking—summed up in one professional soccer player’s words to me, “Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser”—we can glorify God by being dignified and gracious in defeat. Loss can’t diminish our joy because our joy lies in glorifying God, not the game.

Taken from “Practice Perfect” by Doug Lemov