It is not easy being both a Christian and a successful NBA star. If the Houston Rockets' Dwight Howard did not share a solid foundation with Jesus Christ, he suspects that his life might have turned out differently.
"There [were] times where it was very overwhelming. Where it's like, man, this is so much. Everything is at my disposal, you know, all I got to do is just go reach and it's mine," he shared with CBN.
But every time he feels tempted to stray from his values, Howard is reminded of his mission. "My mission was to preach God's Word, you know, in the NBA. Use the NBA as a platform for God. And when I'm on the floor, you know, let people see, you know, the God in me," he said.
Some people assume that Christians hardly make mistakes, and Howard had to learn the hard way how to deal with people's high expectations of him.
"I am a man of faith. I believe in God. And I will always believe in Him. And, you know, the minute I messed up, the minute I sinned, everybody took a shot at me. 'Hey, you're supposed to be a Christian,' but God died on — Jesus died on a cross for our sins, you know. So if He's willing to forgive us, why can't we forgive each other?" he said.
Back in 2012, Howard faced the lowest point of his career. He was then playing for the Orlando Magic and was dealing with friction with his coach and teammates.
"When I was in Orlando and a lot of this stuff went down in Orlando, everybody made me look like the worst guy in the world. A coach killer, a guy who hates his teammates, a cancer, all this stuff that I'm not," he revealed.
Then in August, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. "I come back, I go to the Lakers," he narrated. "I'm trying to play. But I'm still not 100 percent, and I was getting demolished for that. 'Ahhh, he's not playing hard enough. He can't dunk anymore. He can't do this.' And I'm like, 'God, why do I have to go through this?' But He said just keep going. Just stay strong."
God eventually pointed Howard to the Rockets, but his move really upset Lakers fans. Overwhelmed by all the negativity, Howard prayed for God to "just do something."
"And He said, 'Listen, if the whole world hates you, I love you. Always remember that.' So I just tried to put away all the hate and everything like that and just focus on my relationship with Him," Howard said.
The Christian NBA star is now determined to continue his mission for God in the basketball court and do his best despite all the negativity. "When I'm on the floor, you know, let people see, you know, the God in me. Whether that be me having fun, blocking a shot and smiling dunking and smiling, whatever it may be. But just having fun playing with peace and joy," he said.
