Do This After Losing Everything | Darryl Strawberry

The Thrill of the Game vs. The Anointing [00:00:00]

• Strawberry describes the electrifying feeling of hitting a home run in a big game, with 50,000 people reacting.
• He contrasts this with standing in a pulpit, where he feels a divine "anointing" that is not his own, calling it the most incredible experience.

• "The part of the baseball is amazing. Running around the baseball, crushing the ball, the scoreboard, especially in big games, playoffs, and stuff like that. And everybody's going crazy. Chills run all through the body."

A Life of Multiple Chapters [00:02:00]

• The host introduces Darryl Strawberry, calling him one of the greatest baseball players of all time and a remarkable person who has transformed his life multiple times.
• Strawberry acknowledges his past struggles with addiction and health issues, including a recent heart attack.

• "He's really a special man. You know him because he's one of the greatest baseball players literally of all time."

The Price of Sin [00:04:00]

• Strawberry reflects on his "wild, wild man, heathen lifestyle" in New York City during his youth and playing career.
• He admits he knew how to play baseball but didn't know how to live, which cost him later in life.

• "I always tell people that you can pick your sins, but you can't pick the consequences of it."

The Steadfast Love of a Wife [00:07:00]

• Strawberry credits his wife as the "creator for everything" in helping him straighten out his life and leading him back to church.
• She encouraged him to pick up the pieces of his life, emphasizing his responsibility for his actions.

• "She was the one that led me back into church. And I sat for seven years of going through discipleship because she was already there."

True Love vs. Adoration [00:09:00]

• The host distinguishes between loving the idea of someone versus loving the person with all their flaws.
• Strawberry confirms this, stating that his wife loved him when he had nothing, was in debt, and struggling with addiction.

• "She actually loves you, which is different than loving the idea of somebody."

Facing Mortality and Addiction [00:11:00]

• Strawberry admits he was once okay with dying, suggesting his lifestyle was a subconscious form of self-destruction.
• He notes how many celebrities die young because they are not told they have a problem.

• "Most addicts do. Most celebrities end up dying because nobody ever tells them they have a problem."

Lessons from Teammates [00:15:00]

• Strawberry cites teammates Gary Carter and Mookie Wilson as examples of men who lived according to their faith.
• He admired Carter's happiness and lack of struggle, attributing it to his faith.

• "And I was wondering, why is this guy so happy? Why is he not struggling? Why is he not drinking? Why is he not messing with other women?"

Rebuilding Identity After Loss [00:18:00]

• The host asks how someone can remake themselves and find their identity after losing a significant part of it, like a career or relationship.
• Strawberry emphasizes that failure is a part of life and the key is to learn from it and not quit.

• "I would tell them that failure is a part of life. It's just like succeeding."

Finding Strength in Faith [00:22:00]

• Strawberry explains that connecting to Jesus and God's word helped him accept his shortcomings and understand that Christ's sacrifice offers redemption.
• He learned that true success comes from giving God his heart, not just his abilities.

• "Because when I started understanding Christ, I started understanding that he had completed the task for every last one of us."

The Power of Availability and Service [00:27:00]

• Strawberry discusses how serving others and getting out of oneself reveals hidden skills and talents.
• He states that it's better to give than to receive, leading to a transformation and gratitude.

• "It's the best gift that we give to ourself when we finally get out of ourself and serve others."

The Supernatural Difference [00:34:00]

• Strawberry compares the feeling of a baseball triumph to the supernatural feeling of ministry, where an "anointing" flows through him.
• He emphasizes that this power is not his own but God's gift, affecting others in a profound way.

• "But the spirit is going to come, and it's going to affect someone else and touch somebody."

Listening to God's Voice [00:40:00]

• When asked if he hears God audibly, Strawberry explains it's supernatural, a voice he recognizes, similar to his children's voices.
• He stresses the importance of listening and not trying to control or dictate to others, including children.

• "You know, you listen to what he's saying. You know, once you know his voice, you know who's speaking."

The Competitive Drive [00:47:00]

• Strawberry discusses his competitive nature, stating he always believed he was the best player on the field.
• He admired Barry Bonds for his talent and confidence, noting that playing with self-belief is crucial.

• "When I ran out on the field, I was the best player. That's what I told myself."

The 1986 Mets and Life Lessons [00:54:00]

• Strawberry recounts the 1986 World Series, explaining that the Mets had come back from significant deficits many times that season.
• He reflects on the infamous Game 6 error, emphasizing that baseball, like life, is not over until it's over.

• "Baseball is just like the game of life. It's not over till it's over."

Embracing a New Life [01:01:00]

• To someone wanting a different life, Strawberry advises taking new steps and asking God for help, stopping the attempt to "play God."
• He stresses that transformation takes time and trust, encouraging people to seek wisdom from those who have experienced similar journeys.

• "I tried everything else. It didn't work. Just like me, I tried everything. Out there. And it didn't work."

The Anointing of Service [01:06:00]

• Strawberry explains that the "anointing" he experiences in ministry is a gift from God that doesn't belong to him.
• He believes this gift is utilized for the kingdom, not for personal gain, and that true transformation comes from submitting to God.

• "The anointing is what works, when you are walking, truly with him and understand his principles."

Gifts Revealed Through Pain and Service [01:09:00]

• Strawberry agrees that gifts are revealed through pain and service, emphasizing that pain is temporary and leads to revelation.
• He notes that people often stay in their pain, preventing God from working through them.

• "Pain is part of life. And you don't stay there. You don't dwell in it."

The Gift of Availability [01:13:00]

• The host highlights Strawberry's increased articulation and verbal gift, which emerged as he began serving God and others.
• Strawberry explains this new gift is God's anointing, educating him in a different way when he submits to Him.

• "You can articulate, um, the things that we're doing and playing baseball sports, this and that, but the gift that he gives you is his anointing."

The Balance of Faith and Confidence [01:17:00]

• Strawberry discusses the balance between relying on God and maintaining self-confidence, stating his belief in his own abilities was always present.
• He explains that his self-belief allowed him to perform at a high level, and this same principle applies to life's challenges.

• "When I ran out on the field, I was the best player. That's what I told myself."

Legacy and Purpose [01:20:00]

• Strawberry emphasizes leaving a legacy for his children and others, which inspired his book "Another Life."
• He encourages people to seek God's help and trust the process of transformation, as it's not an overnight miracle.

• "My mother left a legacy for her children. You know, that's what this is all about, leaving a legacy for my children."