When Josh’s Story is Everyone’s Story
I’ve been pondering Josh Hamilton’s story lately. I guess it’s because it’s spring, and the major leaguers are reporting to spring training. Or maybe it’s because it’s time for my son to sign up for little league ball, and his team is dusting off the bats and gloves. Or maybe it’s because I recently read Josh’s book, I don’t know.
But whatever the reason, Josh Hamilton’s story about his struggle to come back from drug addiction has been on my mind. By all accounts, Josh should be dead. But instead, with Jesus’ help, he got clean, and became last season’s American League MVP as a professional baseball player for the Texas Rangers. Talk about second chances.
What struck me about Josh’s story was how he admits that his battle is in his mind. I can’t imagine how hard that battle must be, but Josh fights it in many ways. One way is his accountability partners. Another is his quiet time. And yet another is the fact that he carries no cash or payment methods.
All of these are ways that Josh fights the battle in his mind, every day. His opponents are his own flesh, and every Christian’s enemy: Satan himself.
My battle has always been in my mind, too. And lately, God has been showing me the need to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Sometimes, it’s like playing the net in tennis. The balls are flying fast, and you barely have time to stick up your racket.
In a sense, Josh’s story is everyone’s story. We all stumble in many ways. And we can usually unwind the ball of string right back to our thoughts, which drive our actions in the first place.
Why not work on that thought battle with me? It’s not easy, but nothing worth doing ever is.
Here are a few of the truths that help me in my battle:
- I can do nothing without God’s help.
- When I am weak, He is strong.
- I have armor to wear in the battle.
- If I resist the Devil, he will flee from me.*
- God is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
- He will never leave me or forsake me.
And here are some things I do to fight the battle in my mind:
- Memorize Scripture. (It’s a potent weapon.)
- Ask the Holy Spirit to prod me when a thought is false.
- Practice these steps: consciously resist the thought, apologize to God, ask Him for forgiveness and strength, and replace the thought with truth by thinking about an applicable Scripture.
- Take a deep breath, smile, and walk on in peace until the next battle.
Sometimes it takes seeing the problem before you can do something about it. Remember that Jesus said to His disciples:
“But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.”
(Matthew 13:16, ESV)
Dear sisters in Christ, let’s look. And listen. And pick up those tennis rackets.
(* James 4:7 is Josh Hamilton’s favorite scripture verse.)
Photo Credit (Image via)
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Susan Shipe
March 2, 2011 at 3:57 am
As always, very well written. It is a daily process for sure. An excellent word for today.
Thanks Stephanie!
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 2, 2011 at 5:58 am
Thank you, Susan. Thank you, thank you.
becky miller
March 2, 2011 at 6:14 am
thank you stephanie - what a great way to start my morning! <3
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 2, 2011 at 6:19 am
You didn't start mine to badly, either, Becky. Thank you.
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 2, 2011 at 6:19 am
TOO! Too. *Sigh*
Adam Bryant
March 2, 2011 at 6:30 am
Stephanie, it is always a delight to read your blogs. They never seem to miss in inspiring me to do something. This blog has inspired me to read and memorize scritpure more. That was jesus' defense against satan when he was tempted. I have a need to memorize more scripture and refresh the ones i already know. I have two sons that are getting older and i need to be there directing them with more scripture. Thanks again and ttl, hopefully i will see yall soon. Love ya!
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 2, 2011 at 6:42 am
Adam, we are memorizing the book of James for school this year! We do have the whole school year, but back when it was assigned, I was terrified to take it on. I can't tell you how often the Holy Spirit was brought back verses from James to both me and Timothy, to use in hard situations, or situations when we should win that thought battle. I'm amazed.
I was also really struck by the fact that Josh Hamilton's favorite scripture is James 4:7:
" Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
How cool is that? Always a pleasure to hear from you, dear Adam. ♥
Heather Palacios
March 2, 2011 at 7:51 am
OK, this is GOLD! Could you take this post and write a book on it?? Please?? But for now, I will take your very palpable steps, treasure them in my heart and apply them to my life. Thank you, Stephanie
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 2, 2011 at 7:55 am
And I will treasure in my heart your comment. Thank you, Heather. You're gold, yourself.
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 2, 2011 at 7:57 am
And P.S. This "battle in the mind" thing has been a huge thing for me, all of my life. It's so much easier for me if I break it down thought by thought, and it helped me so much to picture taking each thought, one by one, and submitting them to Christ.
Heather Palacios
March 2, 2011 at 8:00 am
But I have a question…
The 3rd thing you do (step 3) is to "apologize to God." What, exactly, should I seek to apologize for? I really want to get this right. Thank you for your help.
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 2, 2011 at 8:09 am
Well, I guess I should have explained this better, but I was out of words on the word count. Okay, let me try…
Many times I find the thought needs to be apologized for, in that it's a sinful thought. Maybe it's a jealous thought, or something I would never say out because I realize it's ugly. I've learned that I have to be brutally, no-holds-barred honest with Jesus, because, as the Truth, He knows it all already. Does this make sense?
So, it will go like this. Maybe I realize the thought can be traced right back to my previous example: envy. I will say to the Lord, "Oh, sweet Lord. I just had an ugly, jealous thought. I'm sorry. Please forgive me! Wash me clean, and empower YOUR righteousness, and give me what I lack: YOUR strength in this." And He always answers that prayer, and I can actually feel the cleansing and the power flowing in.
Clear as mud, sweet Sister?
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 2, 2011 at 8:11 am
i.e. I don't mess with Jesus, as the Truth. I call it what it is, no excuses. That's when I find it is a sinful thought. If it is just a thought Satan is whispering to me, I reject is as quickly as possible, and speak scripture to myself, if the Holy Spirit brings one back to mind. That's where the playing the net comes in, and the scripture memory. I try not to let those thoughts get any oxygen to grow, or take the tiniest root. I've found those things grow QUICKLY into ugly, big weeds, which somehow grow to mountains if I dont.
Okay, shutting up now…
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 2, 2011 at 8:11 am
*it. I reject IT. Sheesh.
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 2, 2011 at 8:12 am
*don't. I guess I lied when I said I was shutting up, ha.
Rebecca Marchbanks
March 2, 2011 at 8:12 am
Love Josh Hamilton and his story..and you, of course.
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 2, 2011 at 8:16 am
The love is returned. ♥
Heather Palacios
March 2, 2011 at 11:17 am
Clear as the sunny sky we have in South Florida today. Thank you. Look forward to applying it…asap!
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 2, 2011 at 2:02 pm
Thank you for reading, e-friend. Left you comments on your blog.
Nancy Guess
March 2, 2011 at 11:51 am
Very well written! The tools mentioned in fighting the battle of the mind are very similar - some exact - to those that I mentioned earlier to day to a homeless woman. John and I prepare lunch once a week and meet with a few homeless people for Bible study. Their addictions go deep - their battle so difficult. It is truly a blessing to have conversation with them over a meal, and to see them discover the many promises contained in God's Word - promises that offer reassurance, hope and encouragement - armor for the battle. All the while, we are being filled with hope and encouragement as we face our own battles!
Josh's story is amazing! He uses every opportunity to share his testimony, giving all glory, honor and praise to Jehovah Rapha, our Healer. His battle may continue, but he prepares himself by putting on the full armor of God!
Thanks for sharing! This is the first time I have read this posting - the timing was impeccable!
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 2, 2011 at 2:03 pm
Wow, Nancy. So cool to hear. Have you read Josh's book? We found it inspiring. Thanks for all you do, sweet sister-in-Christ. ♥
Akia
March 3, 2011 at 7:27 am
Wonderful message. Especially the list of things you do to fight the battle in your mind. Thanks for this!
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 3, 2011 at 8:02 am
Thanks for the input!
Rene'
March 3, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Well said, Steph! What a great reminder to be mindful. Thank you for continuing to spur me on….
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 3, 2011 at 7:04 pm
You spur me too, my friend. Bless you. ♥
Mendy
March 4, 2011 at 4:39 am
Thanks Stephanie!
We took Logan to see Josh when he was at First Baptist.
It was such a great story. God is always there for us!
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 4, 2011 at 6:42 am
Thank YOU, Mendy!
Hey! We were there that day at FBC, too! I took photos, but they didn't come out well. I can't believe I didn't run into you, but you may have gone to the other service. We got there too late for the early service and had to go to the late service.
kimberly
March 7, 2011 at 8:05 am
very applicable & timely
what a blessing God has granted you to be able to extend
hope & encouragement in such a honest & humble manner.
miss you! & umm… did you get my FB response to your question??
xoxo
Stephanie Marchbanks
March 7, 2011 at 8:58 am
Yes, Kimberly, been meaning to call. Life, life. In fact, we will be driving up your way on our way to Springfield (Timothy's nationals) on Friday. Barry will be along, but maybe I can talk him into stopping for coffee…
Will try to call you later, dear friend. ♥