NBA's Dwight Howard Gives Advice on How to Block Out Insecurities With Christ

By Christine Thomasos, Christian Post Reporter Friday, July 08, 2016

Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) attempts to spin around Golden State Warriors center Marreese Speights (5) during the third quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 97-96, Houston, Texas, April 21, 2016. | (Photo: USA Today Sports/Troy Taormina)

Professional basketball player Dwight Howard doled out advice to his fans earlier this week, urging them to reject the negative thoughts that can creep into their mind and lead to insecurity and a lack of confidence.

"One thing I will tell all you. Don't allow negativity to creep into your ear gates," Howard wrote on Instagram. "It did affect me with my confidence. So I'm telling you allow only positive thoughts and positive people in your circle." the 31-year-old new addition to his hometown Atlanta Hawks advised.

"They say you can't do this. You can't do that," he wrote. "I say. You can do all thing through Christ."

While Howard said he believes some people might "hate" on his post, he wrote the message for those who "wanna be successful in life."

A video posted by Dwight Howard (@dwighthoward) on Jul 5, 2016 at 2:55pm PDT

"Believe in yourself. Trust the process," he added. "Trust God. And stay locked in."

Earlier this year, Howard revealed that he entered into the NBA over a decade ago on a mission to preach the Word of God.

"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 let people see the God in me," Howard told CBN during an on camera interview.

Howard soon realized, however, how tough it was to focus on God when he had an overwhelming amount of money and fame.

"There's times where it was very overwhelming. Where it's like man, this is so much," he admitted. "Everything is at my disposal, you know, all I got to do is just go reach and it's mine."

While Howard said he will always be a man of faith, the NBA center who made his mark as a member of the Orlando Magic before moving to the Los Angeles Lakers and then Houston Rockets, said people have tried to use that faith to criticize him. The public also had a hard time forgiving Howard for the way he left the Orlando Magic in 2012, amid reports that he wanted his coach fired, asked to be traded and criticized his teammates.

"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," he said. "So if he's willing to forgive us, why can't we forgive each other?"