MICHAEL PHELPS, the most decorated Olympian of all time - with 23 gold medals and 28 overall, and a net worth of $55 million (as of August 2016), who has broken 37 world swimming records - had his own lowest and darkest moments in life. In an interview Phelps told ESPN, "I thought the world would just be better off without me, I figured that was the best thing to do — just end my life.” He admitted that he sent himself down a downward spiral and went through a scariest moment in his life two years ago. Phelps had enough in his bag to weigh him down and enough skeletons to tumble out, like an arrest for driving while intoxicated when the judge implored him to get his life in order or end up in jail, unresolved issues, a complex relationship with his father, hurts of his family, friends and fans. This gold-medal-winning machine had enough to deal with including a photograph at a house party with the now infamous bong (smoking pot?). In spite of all these Phelps decided to set things in order and first he accepted his mistakes and said, “I was taught no matter how old you are, you should always take responsibility for your actions,” which he did. TYING UP THE LOOSE ENDS: We hear about talent, success and glory, but life is not always an easy road. There are some bumps, humps and pot holes. Every life great or small, famous or obscure, rich or poor, all of us have some loose ends to tie up while we steer through our life’s journey. Loose ends hang out and bother us, they gnaw us and make us guilty, they rub us on the wrong side and hurt us, they weigh us down and make our lives miserable. We have all faced some scariest moments in our lives. The star, Phelps had fallen and he needed a helping hand, an encouraging word to hear, a hand to hold, and a shoulder to lean on. Ray Lewis was there for Phelps with his presence and the book, “The Purpose Driven Life.” Thank God for good friends, mentors and encouragers who never give up on us, who are there to help us to tie up the loose ends. Lewis never gave up, got Phelps the professional help he needed and the rehabilitation facility. The star was on his road to recovery! Phelps later called Lewis and said, “Bro, I can’t thank you enough, you saved my life.” REBUILDING RELATIONSHIPS: The king of the pool who went into a shell decided to come out of it. The best way for him was to go to The Meadows, a psychological trauma and addiction treatment center about an hour northwest of Phoenix. The ESPN interview was quite revealing. He said he was trembling at the thought of sharing his inner demons with strangers, but he did. He shared how his parents divorced when he was 9. He'd long felt abandoned by his father. He had to deal with this issue in a major way. His escape route was the pool; out of it he said he had no identity, no self-esteem, no self-worth! He had issues with his coach Bowman and sometimes the way they handled themselves was embarrassing. His struggles with his father, and his vicious fights with Bowman were gnawing him. “Not having a father always there was hard... Getting that off my chest in therapy was this huge weight off my shoulders.” Phelps invited his dad over for a week, though anxious that he may let him down as he had done in the past. First the hand shake and then the son pulled the father for a warm hug. To me it seemed like the prodigal father was coming back! It’s not just about a dad or a coach but every relationship needs some mending, repairing and rebuilding. REGAINING ONE’S LIFE BACK: The road to recovery is not all that easy - lots of kicking and tear drops on the way. Forgiveness is tough and difficult but not impossible. Donna de Varona, a swimmer says, “A great champion deals with setback with a comeback.” God has kept a ‘champion’ within each one of us and there is always hope and behind that a great big GOD. Not everyone is lost like Phelps in the pond. Some are lost in their job or business or pursuing their name, fame or wealth. Some in their ministry lose themselves or family! “Don't be impressed with your own wisdom, ...Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” (Pro. 3: 5-7) Michael Phelps got lost and found himself again. Find your purpose and meaning in your life through the One who gave you the purpose and meaning for your life. Get onto the springboard and dive into the pool of GOD’S WORD. Get some godly friends, if possible a coach and a mentor, who will help you to put your life in order. Rev. Dr. Jose T. Nithi Mokokchung
