Ferdinand Omanyala Recalls Deleting Bible Apps, Blaming God after Defeat During Olympics 2024
- Ferdinand Omanyala was eliminated from the finals during the 2024 Olympics semifinals after he emerged eighth
- Sharing his testimony in church, the sprinter revealed that he was angry at God and deleted all his Bible apps
- He also claimed he received an email from God, which helped him put things into perspective about his purpose
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Award-winning athlete Ferdinand Omanyala has given his testimony of how he moved from questioning God to dealing with His grace upon him in 2024.
Source: Instagram
The sprinter was at a church service when he narrated how losing the Olympics in 2024 left him dejected and ashamed despite visions that he was going to win his race.
He finished a distant eighth in the third semi-finals, leaving Kenyans wondering if he was losing his steam.
How Ferdinand Omanyala reacted after Olympics loss
In a video shared on TikTok by Fred Gichuki, Omanyala recalled that his relationship with God changed after the huge loss.
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"Last year, I got into the Olympics as the second fastest guy in the world and we had so much assurance from God, and we were getting so many Bible verses even through our kids. So many people were giving vision. On day two of the Olympics, I ran so well. In the semi-finals, I don't know what happened," he said.
According to Omanyala, he went back to his apartment where his family, managers and his physiotherapist were and questioned what went wrong.
"I cursed God that day. I told God if you do not want me to do this then leave me. I was extremely angry with God that day, I deleted all my Bible apps on my phone. I told God to let me be free because if this is what it means to serve God then I think I am done. Because He could not allow me to be ashamed this much," he added.
How God talked to Omanyala
Omanyala revealed that he had written a Bible verse in his shoes so that when he won, people would know that it was all by God's grace.
He also claimed he got an email from God and read part of it, which said that sometimes one never understands or likes His will and that whatever he was facing was not the end of his story.
"At 4am God sent me an email, I even told my team, we were meeting that day and I told him God sent me an email," he added.
The athlete also said he is not sure when he will win the Olympics, but he is hopeful that it will come to pass at God's right time.
Source: Twitter
Is it right to be angry at God?
Minister Florence Nashami told TUKO.co.ke that it is normal for human beings to express anger at God.
"We are human, emotional beings, and if we are honest, we will get angry, disappointed and not pleased with God's way of answering or dealing with us. But the beauty is in after allowing our emotions all over the place, our grounding in God's faithfulness calms us down," she said.
Here are some of the reactions from social media users:
@Tinaah said:
"God always answers prayers, ni venye we are too busy to notice."
@It's Graham said:
I think those wondering if God sent him an email, I think he is saying God used someone to send him the message."
@Wanyoike said:
"To those asking an email from God, He can use anything to communicate with you. Hata Google kuemail kupass message."
@Mercy Mugenge said:
"Mimi hadi nimewai some Mungu, but he is a faithful God."
@The Cornerstone said:
"If you have not reached here then maybe wewe kiroho ni mtoto."
Watch the video below:
Omanyala's first speech after suffering defeat
When Omanyala was eliminated in the 2024 semi-finals, Kenyans took to social media to express mixed reactions.
At the time, there were viral claims that he had cheated on his wife with a woman who leaked their messages.
In his X post, Omanyala thanked Kenyans for the support and vowed that his story was not yet over.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
