As the youngest member of the 2016 Women’s Olympic Gymnastics team, 16-year-old Laurie Hernandez is melting hearts across the globe.
The public in awe over her extraordinary talent – but they are also inspired by her unyielding faith in Jesus Christ.
The young gymnast says that she wouldn’t be where she was today without the loving Grace of her God. In an interview with USA Gymnastics, she said the following:
“[Praying] really grounds me. Once I do that, for some reason, I’m able to think clearly. And it calms me down and centers me right before I compete.”
Laurie was raised in a devout Christian family where understanding the value of faith was top priority. Her mother believes that God has given her a gift to share with the world.
“God has a plan and if it is His will, then it will happen. Her belief of faith and her training give her confidence. She has such an incredible drive and determination. She has a fire in her eyes and a drive to succeed that is so obvious, even when facing adversity,” her mother said.
Although her road to success looks glamorous, it wasn’t always easy. Laurie faced an onslaught of struggles before reaching the top. Before she won her first gold medal in Rio, she suffered through the pain of numerous injuries. She broke bones, tore a tendon and even smashed her teeth against bars.
But even that couldn’t stop her. She triumphed by never giving up faith.
The gymnast isn’t shy about her beliefs, and wants the world to know where her source of strength comes from.
“I feel that everyday God molds me into someone that He wants me to be. So if that means just, like talking to teammates and helping them out, or like every so often I’ll post a Bible verse on Twitter or Instagram. There was one that I posted recently and I’m thinking it’s my favorite verse. It’s Proverbs 31:25 — She is clothed with dignity and strength and she laughs without fear of the future — when I hear that, that’s me in a Bible verse. I don’t fear the future anymore.”
Laurie is living proof that with the help of God, no dream is impossible.
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” – Romans 12:12
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